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Vermont House Overwhelmingly Approves Community Broadband Bill

Broadband
Sean MacEntee/Flickr

The Vermont House of Representatives has overwhelmingly approved a bill designed to help rural communities get access to high-speed internet.
The legislation aims to bring broadband internet to around 17,000 Vermont residents who lack basic internet access outside of dial-up. Vermont Public Radio reports about 50,000 other residents have internet access that doesn't meet the federal standard of broadband.

The legislation offers a package of state-backed loans and grants to help providers expand internet access. The bill, drafted by Democratic Representative Tim Briglin's House Energy and Technology Committee, passed with only two opposing votes.

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