By Jack Taylor, SPIRIT Executive Director

AT&T and DIRECTV have recently announced a merger. I am a customer of both AT&T and DIRECTV, so I would like to express my support for this merger because it will result in a significant expansion in broadband investment and coverage in rural areas – like western Kansas.

Broadband is very important in my part of the world and has quickly become one of the main drivers for economic development for rural America. It allows individuals and businesses to connect everywhere they go at all times of the day and night. This is very much the same way  the highway system has transformed America, by allowing businesses to connect to other regions. Broadband offers users a connection to the entire world.

DIRECTV offers satellite TV but does not offer broadband Internet or wireless service. By this merger, AT&T and DIRECTV customers will be able to bundle their TV with wireless, telephone and broadband.

It is estimated 15 million customer locations will get more high speed broadband competition, mostly in rural areas where AT&T does not provide high speed broadband service today.

The S.P.I.R.I.T. organization works hard to improve transportation infrastructure because we understand it leads to growth, more opportunities and economic success for all the communities that result in being connected and also for future generations.

I support this merger because I believe it will deliver these same benefits to communication customers and businesses across the nation for years to come.

S.P.I.R.I.T. is an acronym for Southwest Passage Initiative for Regional and Interstate Transportation.