Press Releases

WASHINGTON, DC — Congressman Balderson (OH-12) this week joined 25 House colleagues in a letter sent to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) urging the agency to extend the period for individuals and organizations to submit challenges to the FCC’s broadband maps.

These maps will be used to determine how the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program funds are distributed to states.

“The short period of time the NTIA has given to challenge the FCC’s broadband maps is not sufficient for my constituents to collect data and submit proper challenges,” said Rep. Balderson. “All Americans deserve to be connected; that is why I am calling on the NTIA to extend this challenge period. We owe it to our constituents to get this right.”

Broadband refers to high-speed internet access — technology such as cable modems, digital subscriber lines (DSL), and 5G wireless that can transmit huge amounts of data very quickly. The problem, however, is that broadband access has been slow to reach many of Ohio’s rural areas.

Rural communities make up a significant portion of Ohio's 12th Congressional District. Without reliable connectivity, rural residents face severe disadvantages compared to their urban and suburban counterparts.

You can read the full letter here.