New Bill Changes Broadband Plan

West Virginia lawmakers are dropping a push to build a 2,500-mile high-speed Internet network all at once and instead are looking to build the fiber network in pieces. The Gazette-Mail says instead of trying to build a $72 million state-funded network meant to bring Internet to rural communities that might duplicate existing networks, a new version of the bill lets Internet companies request grant and bond money to build individual fiber network segments. Companies would have to show how they could retire their debts. The proposal by Republican Sen. Chris Walters is headed to the Senate floor for consideration.