The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will invest $170 million to expand broadband access to more than 400,000 rural Ohioans. The FCC announced the results of its auction of investments this week to companies that will expand access to broadband, including rural and underserved Ohio communities that have long been pushing for greater broadband infrastructure.

U.S. Senators Sherrod Brown and Rob Portman of Ohio introduced the legislation earlier this year, the Rural Broadband Acceleration Act, that would speed up the process of getting these types of investments from the FCC to Ohio communities faster.

“By expanding access to broadband internet, we can make it easier for Ohioans to make a living, learn online and keep in touch with loved ones,” said Brown. “Especially now, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, connectivity is more important than ever. This is good news for our state and our ability to remain connected.”

In July, Brown introduced legislation to make sure Ohio students have reliable broadband internet during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ohioans who live in low-income areas are too often at an economic and educational disadvantage due to little or no access to reliable broadband internet service. Addressing this disparity is critically important now when so many Ohio schools are announcing they will begin the school year with e-learning in place.