Landsman, Joyce, Peters’ Bipartisan Bill to Accelerate Broadband Deployment for Unserved Communities Passes out of Committee

Cincinnati, OH – Today, Congressman Greg Landsman (D-OH-01), Congressman John Joyce (R-PA-13), and Congressman Scott Peters’ (D-CA-50) bipartisan bill to help communities get broadband quicker – especially in rural areas – passed out of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.

On Monday, Congressmen Landsman, Joyce, and Peters introduced the bipartisan Broadband and Telecommunications RAIL Act – legislation to streamline the permitting process for broadband providers to deploy infrastructure in an area where the public right of way intersects with a private railroad right of way. If the broadband company has approval to deploy in the public right of way, this bill lets them simply notify the railroad before proceeding with construction – eliminating an unnecessary and burdensome approval process that increases the costs and delays of broadband infrastructure deployment.

If a broadband provider wants to lay broadband through a private railroad right of way, the bill makes the approval process faster and limits the railroad company from denying the application for irrelevant reasons.

On Tuesday, the Broadband and Telecommunications RAIL Act passed out of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.

Congressman Landsman:

“This bipartisan bill will help get broadband to people all over the country much faster, especially in rural areas, by streamlining processes and removing obstructions. With a $42 billion broadband investment set to be released, this couldn’t come at a better time.”

Congressman Joyce:

“Rural communities, including those I represent across Pennsylvania, have waited too long for access to affordable, high-speed broadband. I’m proud to work with Congressman Landsman and Congressman Peters to introduce a bipartisan solution that would encourage broadband providers and railroads to reconcile outstanding issues in a timely manner and accelerate broadband deployment along railroad rights of way with safety and efficiency.”

Congressman Peters:

“Too often, much-needed broadband projects are held up by unnecessary complications and uncertain processes. Yet in the age of technology, it’s more important than ever for Americans to get connected as quickly as possible. That’s why I’m proud to see our bipartisan Broadband and Telecommunications RAIL Act pass through the Communications and Technology subcommittee, bringing us one step closer to expediting critical infrastructure projects, creating reasonable timelines to ensure project efficiency, and increasing connectivity to meet the national demand.” 

Chip Pickering, CEO, INCOMPAS:

“INCOMPAS members have experienced firsthand the significant barrier that railroad crossings pose to broadband deployment, including permits delayed nearly 20 months and unreasonable fees exceeding $40,000 for a single crossing. The Broadband and Telecommunications RAIL Act finally addresses this ‘wild west’ environment by establishing clear timelines, fair compensation rules, and meaningful dispute-resolution processes. This bipartisan, bicameral legislation delivers the regulatory certainty necessary to accelerate broadband deployment and end these costly delays while maintaining strong rail safety standards.”

Brandon Heiner, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs, USTelecom:

“If our permitting is stuck in the past, our networks will be too. The Broadband and Telecommunications RAIL Act is a big step in the right direction. It addresses many of the challenges broadband providers face when attempting to access railroad rights of ways and establishes a process that will ensure Americans are connected to fast, reliable broadband.”

Kelly Cole, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs, CTIA:

We appreciate the work of Reps. Joyce, Landsman and Peters to streamline wireless deployment for public and railroad rights-of-way. We look forward to continuing to work on the legislation as it heads towards a full Committee markup.”

Tim Donovan, President and CEO, Competitive Carriers Association:

“CCA commends the introduction of the Broadband and Telecommunications RAIL Act to help remove barriers to broadband deployment. Excessive delays, arbitrary fees, and increased costs surrounding broadband deployments around and across rail lines have long presented significant obstacles for CCA members working to close the digital divide in rural and underserved areas. The RAIL Act brings greater certainty to an otherwise inconsistent process, providing needed reforms to cut through challenges that frustrate the building, expansion, and maintenance of America’s mobile and fixed broadband networks. CCA urges Congress to move this important legislation forward.”

NCTA – The Internet & Television Association:

“We applaud the work of Reps. John Joyce, Scott Peters, and Greg Landsman on the Broadband the Telecommunications RAIL Act, key legislation that will help resolve the obstacles broadband providers too often encounter when building across railroad infrastructure. This legislation will help speed deployment particularly in rural areas. We look forward to continued collaboration with the bill’s sponsors as this important effort moves forward.”

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