How a ‘shot clock’ can accelerate Montana broadband expansion | Sebastian Griffin

As states like Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, and Washington receive their BEAD funding and additional federal funds towards broadband expansion, creativity in implementation is ripe for the picking.

The introduction of a “shot clock” law would be a promising step toward bridging the digital divide while advancing the region’s economic potential. This policy proposes a simple yet impactful mechanism: If local governments fail to act on telecommunications facility siting applications within a reasonable period, the application is automatically approved.

For years, rural communities in the Mountain States region have faced a consistent challenge — lack of access to high-speed internet. Whether it’s in remote areas of Wyoming, Idaho, Washington, or Montana, the slow pace of broadband expansion has hindered economic growth, educational opportunities, and healthcare access.

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This “shot clock” requirement would create a clear embrace for this approach. It sets a hard deadline for local governments and agencies to review and approve wireless telecommunications siting applications, effectively eliminating bureaucratic delays that have historically slowed down infrastructure development…

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