Broadband Overhaul Sparks Backlash in Pennsylvania
HARRISBURG, PA — In a sweeping move that could reshape how rural Americans access the internet, the Trump administration has implemented major changes to a $42.5 billion federal broadband expansion program—dramatically shifting priorities from long-term infrastructure to short-term cost savings. The decision has left Pennsylvania officials scrambling and sparked concerns from digital equity advocates across the country.
From Fiber to the “Cheapest Option”
The broadband program, originally created under the 2021 bipartisan infrastructure law, was designed to connect the hardest-to-reach parts of the U.S. with reliable high-speed internet. Under the Biden-era guidelines, states were encouraged to prioritize fiber optic infrastructure, widely seen as the most future-proof solution.
But in early June, the Trump administration abruptly rewrote the rules, requiring states to select broadband proposals based on lowest upfront cost, rather than long-term capacity or quality. The new policy greatly boosts the competitiveness of satellite services like Elon Musk’s Starlink and fixed wireless providers, while deprioritizing fiber projects that are more expensive and slower to build.
“The cheapest option will get you connected tomorrow, but the cheapest option will not be able to withstand the amount of bandwidth and data we need five years from now,” said Christopher Ali, a broadband policy expert at Penn State University.
Pennsylvania Left in the Lurch
The timing of the change couldn’t be worse for Pennsylvania. The state had just completed its first round of broadband grant applications—90% of which were fiber-based—when the new rules were announced. Now, state officials must rescore all applications and rework their funding strategy under an accelerated 90-day deadline, with final proposals due by early September.
A spokesperson for the Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority confirmed that the state will “make every effort” to comply with the new rules, but offered no details on how that will affect existing applicants.
Winners and Losers in the New Broadband Era
Under the revised rules:
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Lowest-cost bids win. States must now prioritize upfront cost, regardless of long-term performance or affordability.
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Labor, workforce, and local planning requirements are removed, cutting out key equity and development safeguards.
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Pricing can’t be considered. States are prohibited from weighing how much an ISP will charge customers when scoring proposals.
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The fiber-first model is dead, potentially sidelining projects that provide long-term value but require greater investment.
“The people we’re reaching with these dollars can’t wait four more years to get online — we need to get them online tomorrow or today,” said Steve Schwerbel of the Wireless Internet Service Providers Association, defending the pivot to satellite and fixed wireless.
But critics say this approach echoes past broadband failures—favoring quick fixes that don’t last. Providers like David Gibbons, a local ISP founder, say the policy shift is a gut punch after investing heavily in fiber-based proposals.
“The reality is: yes, fiber is expensive. It’s also the only way to solve the broadband problem once and for all,” Gibbons said.
Rural Residents Caught in the Middle
An estimated 255,000 homes and businesses in Pennsylvania still lack reliable broadband, according to state data. For those in remote areas, connectivity options are limited. Satellite services like Starlink may provide an interim solution, but residents say they’re costly and inconsistent.
Karen Vanco, a retired teacher in Crawford County, was able to access Starlink through a pandemic-era grant, but says the service is far from ideal.
“It’s a huge improvement over what we had, but it’s not reliable. And it’s expensive—over $120 a month,” Vanco said. “We would prefer fiber. That would be a real investment in our community.”
The Bigger Picture: Broadband and Politics
The Trump administration argues that the changes will deliver faster results and better value for taxpayers. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told Congress that states must focus on “the cheapest way to get broadband to these people, the most efficient way to do it.”
But the long-term risks are mounting:
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Slower infrastructure may be obsolete before it’s fully rolled out.
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Low-income communities could be priced out due to the removal of affordability mandates.
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Labor and job creation in broadband construction could stagnate under the deregulated grant process.
The full effect of the new rules won’t be seen until fall, when final applications are submitted to the federal government for approval. Until then, providers, planners, and rural families are left with more questions than answers—and a lot less fiber.
