Broadband Solutions - AT&T, T-Mobile Merger Lawsuits May Affect Plan to Extend Broadband in Rural Vermont

Rumors and speculation of the final approval of the anticipated merger of AT&T (News - Alert) and T-Mobile have been flooding media outlets since the first announcement was made back in March. But since recent reports of the merger being blocked due to a lawsuit filed by the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Sprint, those who have jumped the gun and started developing plans may be suddenly finding themselves at a crossroads. In a recent article, state Sen. Kevin J. Mullin, Rutland, said it best, “Broadband is the 21st Century equivalent of electricity and the telephone rolled into one.” To put it frankly, once a luxury, attaining a broadband connection has turned into a necessity, and one that people do not take lightly if lost or unavilable. Sen. Mullin added that broadband does not only provide us with basic Internet connection, but is also an innovative means for improving healthcare, education and business across the board. However, due to rural locations, there are some underserved areas that are not as fortunate when it comes to easy access, always-on broadband. Take Rutland County and much of rural Vermont for example; Sen. Mullin noted that these areas are being left behind, while other urban areas of the country are speeding ahead. If the AT&T and T-Mobile merger is in fact approved, the proposal promised a potential build out for the state of Vermont by extending their 4G LTE (News - Alert) network throughout the state. With a reliable broadband connection in rural areas, build outs also promise the growth of small businesses, school systems and economic development in general.