Sponsors (2)
The bill commissions a study to evaluate satellite broadband for ARC projects that could expand connectivity and economic opportunities in rural areas, but it provides no immediate service and uses federal funds for analysis rather than direct deployment.
Rural and other underserved communities (and the small businesses that serve them) could gain improved internet options via satellite broadband, enabling better household connectivity, e-commerce, and remote work where fiber is costly or impractical.
Congress and federal decisionmakers will get an evidence-based analysis of satellite vs. terrestrial broadband cost-effectiveness, which can improve targeting and efficiency of future federal broadband funding and deployment decisions.
The study does not deliver immediate broadband upgrades — communities must still wait for follow-on implementation decisions and deployments to see any connectivity improvements.
Using federal resources to produce the report requires administrative costs and staff time, an opportunity cost that diverts funds from direct broadband projects and is ultimately borne by taxpayers.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Requires the Government Accountability Office (Comptroller General) to study whether the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) can incorporate satellite broadband into its broadband projects and report to Congress within one year. The study must assess satellite broadband capacity for business use, examine economic development outcomes where satellite broadband has been used by businesses, and analyze the cost-effectiveness of using satellite broadband for economic development in Appalachian communities.
Official title: Require the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a study on the capability of the Appalachian Regional Commission to include satellites in broadband projects, and for other purposes.
Introduced April 30, 2026 by Jon Husted · Last progress April 30, 2026
Requires a GAO study, due in one year, on whether the Appalachian Regional Commission can incorporate satellite broadband into its projects and its cost-effectiveness for business development.