The Columbus Republican introduced a bill with U.S. Sen. Angela Alsobrooks, a Maryland Democrat, that would require the U.S. Government Accountability Office to conduct a study on the capability of the Appalachian Regional Commission to incorporate satellites into broadband projects.
The study required under their “Expanding Appalachia’s Broadband Access Act” would review the capacity of satellite broadband services for business purposes, evaluate economic development in areas that have already used satellite broadband, and analyze the cost-effectiveness of the technology. If the study shows satellites would be an effective way to expand rural connectivity, the bill would let rural businesses and communities obtain broadband funding through the Appalachian Regional Commission.
The House of Representatives unanimously passed a similar measure in March, which was introduced by Clermont County Republican Rep. Dave Taylor.
More than 300,000 Ohio households that include close to 1 million Ohioans still lack access to broadband service, according to the office of Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine. Limited connectivity makes it harder for affected students to complete online homework and for adults to access job opportunities, training programs, and telehealth services.
“It is hard to believe that in 2026, far too many Ohioans still lack access to reliable Internet, impacting how people learn, work or complete training programs,” Husted said a statement. He noted that he worked to form and lead the BroadbandOhio Office when he served as DeWine’s lieutenant governor.
Taylor said parts of his southern Ohio district have been hampered by poor connectivity for decades.
Although fiber optic cables have historically been the most utilized technology throughout the region, expanding fiber into the challenging terrain of southern Ohio has been costly and difficult, Taylor’s office says. Satellites might be able to circumvent topographical challenges and supply broadband to hard-to-reach areas, the bill’s sponsors believe.
“Southern Ohio has long been a broadband desert, with our rural communities being left behind in an ever-changing and advancing economy,” said a statement from Taylor. “This bill will create an opportunity to demonstrate that embracing innovative technologies like satellite broadband could lead to massive opportunities for growth in southern Ohio.”
Alsobrooks said the issue also affects rural residents of her state.
“Access to broadband Internet is critical for accessing health care, paying your bills, and staying connected to friends, family, and the world,” said a statement from Alsobrooks.
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