Wyden Supports Rural Wireless Act

On Thursday, Oregon’s Ron Wyden announced his support of bipartisan legislation he said would help build out cell service and wireless internet coverage throughout rural portions of the state.  Wyden said reliable wireless coverage is essential for rural Oregonians, benefiting health care, law enforcement, and everyday workers.  He added the wireless coverage data maps must be improved for the overall well-being of rural Oregonians.

Wyden said the Rural Wireless Act of 2017 would achieve the goals he outlined by requiring the Federal Communications Commission to establish a methodology for the collection of information about commercial mobile service and mobile data service.

“This legislation would ensure the FCC has accurate cell service coverage maps throughout Oregon and across the country,” said Wyden, a co-sponsor of the bill. “Accurate maps showing where coverage gaps exist are crucial to making sure federal support gets properly targeted where it’s needed most to build out broadband service.”

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