West Virginia Lawmaker Calls for State Broadband Regulation
With West Virginia set to receive $362 million in federal funds for rural broadband expansion, Del. Mick Bates of Raleigh County is pushing for the state to begin regulating Internet service. by Jessica Farrish, The Register-Herald / February 8, 2021 Shutterstock/Sean Pavone
(TNS) With West Virginia set to receive $362 million in federal funds for rural broadband expansion, Del.
Mick Bates
of
Bates said Friday that
West Virginia, is operating as an unregulated monopoly. He wants the
State Public Service Commission, which regulates utility companies, to oversee internet companies like
Suddenlink. It s essential, said Bates. It s essential for schooling. It s essential for business. It s essential for health care.
The offices of the West Virginia Economic Development Authority in Charleston. (File Photo)
CHARLESTON The West Virginia Economic Development Authority voted Tuesday to award the first loan insurance requests for four state internet providers who received winning bids in last Fall’s rural broadband auction, while a lawmaker continues to ask about one company’s ability to deliver.
The EDA approved loan insurance requests for Bridgeport-based Citynet for a loan up to $16 million from MVB Bank; Preston County-based Digital Connections/PRODIGI for a loan up to $2.6 million from Clear Mountain Bank; Bluefield, Va.-based GigaBeam for a loan up to $8.4 million from Citizens Bank of West Virginia; and a transfer of a loan up to $3 million for Buckhannon-based Micrologic from Citizens Bank of Weston to Citizens Bank of West Virginia.