Pennsylvania’s internet connection plan submitted to feds: ‘It’s bonkers’; Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, September 8, 2025

KRIS B. MAMULA, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette ; Pennsylvania’s internet connection plan submitted to feds: ‘It’s bonkers’

"The federal government announced in June 2023 that Pennsylvania was in line for $1.16 billion in broadband expansion grants, with priority given to fiber optic cable connections, which are considered the gold standard for the internet. But in a pivot, the Trump administration dropped the fiber cable preference in March, opening the door to satellite broadband service, which researchers, including Mr. Meinrath and the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society, a Wilmette, Ill.-based research nonprofit, have found lacking.

After the shift in acceptable technologies by the Trump administration, 65% of the federal Broadband Equity Access & Deployment Program funding will now pay for fiber optic connections in Pennsylvania, 18% for satellite. Fiber optic had a much larger share of the connections under previous plans.

The balance of Pennsylvania addresses will get fixed wireless connections — 13% — or hybrid fiber coaxial, 4%, thanks to BEAD funding...

“There’s a lot of roadblocks in rural America,” said Greene County Commissioners Chair Jared Edgreen. “We struggle with infrastructure throughout the county, getting the basic amenities to our communities,” including internet."