TDS Telecom Applauds Bipartisanship to Close Digital Divide
Statement on Presidential Visit to Wisconsin, Legislative Action on Broadband Grants
TDS Telecom (TDS®) commends the widespread bipartisanship in closing the digital divide throughout the nation. Access to broadband is essential and state and federal investments in private sector broadband expansion are critical to connect communities to the world.
Today’s events in Wisconsin show that improving internet access has broad support at every level. President Joe Biden is visiting La Crosse to tout the bipartisan framework for the infrastructure bill, which includes $65 billion for broadband expansion. Meantime, representatives in the Wisconsin State Assembly are voting on the biennial budget, which contains $125 million for state broadband grants.
The following statement can be attributed to Kit Beyer, director for External Affairs and Communications at TDS Telecom:
“A strong public-private partnership is essential as the telecommunications industry works to bring reliable internet services to unserved and underserved areas of the country.
“TDS recognizes and appreciates the rare opportunity when there is widespread agreement. We look forward to working with policymakers on both sides of the aisle to increase internet access utilizing broadband expansion grants.
“As we have done so in the past, TDS will aggressively pursue broadband grants at the state and federal levels to ensure internet access is available in the most remote areas.
“Today’s workforce, businesses and families rely heavily on the internet and we won’t stop advocating for durable solutions to increase access to high-quality internet connections for our customers and the communities we serve.”
Background:
In recent years, TDS received grants from the Wisconsin Broadband Grant Program to provide broadband in the Town of Berry and Town of Vermont, in northwest Dane County and Town of Cranmoor, in central Wisconsin. In 2020, TDS was awarded funding for projects in Mosinee, located in Marathon County and Stetsonville, located in Taylor County in Wisconsin.
