Senator Amy Klobuchar is pressuring the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to promote more rapid and cost-effective expansion of broadband networks in rural areas. Klobuchar and Senator Mark Warner of Virginia introduced the Broadband Conduit Deployment Act, nicknamed the “Dig Once” bill.

The legislation would require certain federal transportation projects to install underground broadband conduit at the same time as highway and road improvements are made.

According to the Federal Highway Administration, 90 percent of broadband installment costs are for digging up and repairing roadways. They estimate it is ten times more expensive to install broadband once a road is complete than installing broadband during the construction. Broadband Conduits are the fiber optic cables that carry high speed communications such as high speed internet and digital phone services.