Gianforte touts rural broadband in Bozeman visit

U.S. Rep. Greg Gianforte met with state telecommunication leaders Monday in Bozeman to understand how best to develop technology policies that benefit Montanans.

“Rural broadband is critically important for our economy, for telecommuters, it’s important for health care delivery, it’s important for education and yet we’ve had a digital divide between rural areas and urban areas,” said Gianforte, a Bozeman Republican and member of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.

Some rural areas in the state don’t have reliable internet, and Gianforte said he hopes to reduce the barriers telecommunications companies face in extending service to those parts of the state.