WASHINGTON — The House of Representatives on Tuesday passed a bill that would direct a federal study into using satellite technology to bring high-speed internet to underserved parts of Appalachia.
The legislation, sponsored by Rep. Dave Taylor, R-Ohio, aims to help rural businesses and communities gain better access to broadband through the Appalachian Regional Commission. It passed by voice vote.
“For too long, rural communities like mine in rural southern Ohio have been left behind the modern economy, all because they lack sufficient access to the internet,” Taylor said. “By embracing innovative technologies like satellite broadband, businesses across Appalachia will be able to see massive economic growth across our region.”
The Expanding Appalachia’s Broadband Access Act, H.R. 2474, instructs the Government Accountability Office to examine the effectiveness of satellites in delivering broadband services. The study would assess whether satellite technology can meet rural business needs, evaluate economic growth in areas already using satellites and analyze the cost-effectiveness of the approach.
If the study produces favorable results, the bill would open the door for rural communities to use satellite broadband when seeking economic development funding through the Appalachian Regional Commission.
Much of southern Ohio, including large portions of Taylor’s 2nd Congressional District, lacks adequate broadband. Traditional fiber optic expansion has been expensive and difficult due to the region’s rugged terrain. A 2024 study ranked three counties in his district among the most off-the-grid places in the country.
Satellites offer a potential workaround to these geographical challenges.
The Appalachian Regional Commission is a federal-state partnership focused on economic development and improving quality of life across Appalachia.
Taylor first introduced the bill on March 27, 2025. It cleared the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on Jan. 21, 2026.