Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS)

Too many rural Americans still lack access to reliable, high-speed broadband. While recent public and private investments in broadband will play a significant role in helping bridge our country’s digital divide, we must now ensure that these funds are used most efficiently and effectively to bring connectivity to our rural friends and neighbors. 

The online panel will discuss current obstacles to broadband deployment – such as the pole access process – and steps we can take today to help accelerate broadband access for rural and unserved communities. 

Burton Eller, Policy and Advocacy Director, National Grange

Edward J. Lopez, Professor of Economics & Director of the Center for the Study of Free Enterprise, Western Carolina University

Former Iowa Lt. Gov. Patty Judge, Co-Founder, Focus on Rural America

Ovidiu Viorica, Broadband Program Manager, New Mexico Public School Facilities Authority, Pole Attachments/Rights-of-Way Policy Group Co-Chair, Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband Coalition (SHLB)

Moderated By: Zachary Cikanek, Executive Director, Connect the Future (CTF) 

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Clear your calendar - It's going down! You're invited to take part in the festivities. Come one, come all, bring a guest, and hang loose. This is going to be epic!