New DeSoto County service is latest shot in war to bring internet access to rural areas
Federal and local officials gathered with representatives of AT&T to announce that rural areas of DeSoto County, just south of Memphis, will get service as part of the Federal Communication Commission’s Connect America program. Plans call for 133,000 locations throughout Mississippi to be connected by 2020, part of 1.1 million new service areas in 18 states by that time.
“The jobs in America, and particularly in Mississippi, are created by small businesses,” said Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss, who is chairman of the Senate’s subcommittee on Communications, Technology, Innovation and the Internet.
Wicker added that President Donald Trump has made it clear that broadband internet connectivity would be a priority among infrastructure needs.
Commercial Appeal
8/29/17
Magnolia Tribune
