RURAL Broadband Act of 2018

To amend the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 to provide requirements on the use of assistance for broadband deployment, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Reprioritizing Unserved Rural Areas and Locations for Broadband Act of 2018 RURAL Broadband Act of 2018 2. Use of assistance for deployment of broadband infrastructure Title VI of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 ( 7 U.S.C. 950bb 604. Use of assistance for deployment of broadband infrastructure (a) Definition of qualifying broadband-Capable infrastructure In this section, the term qualifying broadband-capable infrastructure (1) used by a service provider to provide fixed broadband service for which the service provider receives universal service support under section 254 of the Communications Act of 1934 ( 47 U.S.C. 254 (A) the broadband service satisfies any applicable broadband speed standards under that section and the regulations issued under that section; or (B) the service provider is in compliance with buildout obligations to provide retail fixed broadband service that will comply with applicable broadband speed standards described in subparagraph (A); or (2) that— (A) was financed with funds provided by the Secretary under this Act or any other program carried out by the Secretary for the costs of the construction, improvement, or acquisition of facilities or equipment for the purpose of providing fixed telecommunications or broadband service; and (B) (i) is used to provide fixed broadband service, if— (I) the broadband service satisfies any applicable broadband speed standards established by the Secretary; or (II) the service provider is in compliance with buildout obligations to provide retail fixed broadband service that will comply with applicable broadband speed standards described in subclause (I); or (ii) was financed with a loan under this Act or any other program carried out by the Secretary that remains outstanding. (b) Restriction on use of assistance A loan, grant, or other assistance awarded under this Act, or by the rural development mission area under the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act ( 7 U.S.C. 1921 (c) Use of assistance in unserved areas A loan, grant, or other assistance provided by the Secretary, acting through the Administrator of the Rural Utilities Service, to coordinate, approve, or finance the deployment of broadband-capable infrastructure by a service provider may be used to provide retail fixed broadband service in an area in which there is no qualifying broadband-capable infrastructure owned or operated by another service provider. .

Summary: Reprioritizing Unserved Rural Areas and Locations for Broadband Act of 2018 or the RURAL Broadband Act of 2018 This bill amends the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 to allow financial assistance provided by the Rural Utilities Service for the deployment of broadband-capable infrastructure by a service provider to be used to provide retail fixed broadband service in an area where there is no qualifying broadband-capable infrastructure owned or operated by another service provider. The term "qualifying broadband-capable infrastructure" means fixed broadband-capable infrastructure: (1) used by a service provider to provide fixed broadband service for which the provider receives universal service support funds, and (2) was financed with funds from the Department of Agriculture.