Connected Nation Says New Senate Bill Could Supercharge Broadband — and Make the U.S. Serious About AI

Statement after a Senate bill lands: what Connected Nation is saying

Connected Nation’s chairman and CEO, Tom Ferree, issued a public statement after senators introduced the SUCCESS for BEAD Act. In plain terms, the group welcomed the move and framed it as a major push to get fast internet to places that have been left behind. Ferree said the bill is about more than wires and towers — it is about giving towns, schools and health centers the tools they need to join the modern economy.

The statement stressed speed: not just faster internet, but faster action. Connected Nation urged lawmakers to back the measure so funding and planning can start quickly. The group pitched the bill as a chance to close long-standing gaps between cities and rural or tribal areas.

Ferree’s main point: AI as a national ‘‘moonshot’’ and why that matters

Tom Ferree used a bold phrase in the statement: “AI is the Moonshot of our generation.” He meant that artificial intelligence is a long-term, high-impact goal that requires government-scale focus — like landing on the moon once did. Ferree’s point was not that broadband is an end in itself, but that strong internet is the foundation for any serious effort on AI.

Connected Nation focuses on bringing broadband to places that lack reliable service. From that perspective, the message is simple: if the U.S. wants to compete in AI, it must first give communities the basic connectivity that AI tools and data depend on. Ferree tied digital equity to national competitiveness — arguing that if whole regions are cut off, the country will lose talent, ideas and economic muscle.

The quote also signals a shift in how broadband advocates frame their work. Broadband is now being sold not just as a utility for home or school, but as critical infrastructure for high-tech sectors. That raises the stakes for lawmakers weighing how to fund and oversee the rollout.

What the SUCCESS for BEAD Act would do for broadband and AI-readiness

The legislation builds on existing federal efforts to expand broadband, but with some tweaks that matter for underserved areas and for tech strategy. At its core, the bill would push more money and clearer rules toward state and local plans that map where service is missing and then fund projects to fill those gaps.

Key features emphasized in the statement include targeted grants for rural, tribal and low-income communities, more flexible rules for how states spend funds, and a stronger focus on technology choices that can last for years. Those changes aim to speed up construction and make sure new networks are built with future needs in mind.

For AI specifically, the bill would help in practical ways: better bandwidth to schools and community centers, more reliable links for clinics and small businesses, and the kind of consistent access that lets people use cloud services, data tools and training platforms. Those pieces matter if the goal is broad-based AI adoption rather than high-tech hubs alone.

The bill also pushes for improved mapping and accountability. That is intended to stop money from going to places that already have decent service and to make it easier to measure real progress where help is most needed.

What this could mean on the ground

If the measure succeeds, the most immediate winners would be communities that have lacked dependable internet: small towns, tribal lands and certain city neighborhoods. Residents could see new construction projects, more options for service, and better access at schools and clinics.

From a national perspective, the plan aims to broaden the base of people and businesses that can use cloud computing, data services and AI tools. That could help spread tech-related jobs and innovation beyond big coastal cities. But success is not guaranteed: projects will still take time, and results will depend on how money is spent and how well states and carriers coordinate.

There are also trade-offs. Faster deployment sometimes means choosing cheaper technologies that may need upgrades later. Improving mapping and oversight can reduce waste, but it can slow things down if rules are too rigid.

What happens next in Washington — and how others have reacted

The bill now heads into the normal legislative process: committee review, possible amendments, and then votes in the Senate. That path can take weeks or months, depending on political priorities and negotiations. If the Senate advances the measure, the House would then weigh in.

Early reactions beyond Connected Nation have been mixed but predictable. State broadband offices and community advocates broadly praised the focus on underserved areas and better mapping. Some large internet providers welcomed the emphasis on funding and speed, while others flagged concerns about how strict oversight could affect project timelines. Tech groups interested in AI see a chance to expand the user base, but they and some policy experts say the bill will need clear rules to ensure long-term value from the investments.

For now, Connected Nation’s statement sets a clear tone: broadband is not just a household convenience any more. It is infrastructure for the next wave of technology, and the group wants Washington to treat it that way.

Sources

• prnewswire.com