This is a guest opinion column

In Alabama, we build things to last—family farms in the Tennessee Valley, ships in Mobile, and automobiles in Vance. That same grit drives our excitement for a once-in-a-generation chance to bring fiber-optic internet to every corner of our state. Federal and state funds through the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program have us on the cusp of reliable, high-speed broadband for all. But a Congressional bill—the so-called “SPEED for BEAD Act”—threatens to derail this dream. As a telecommunications worker from rural Baldwin County, I‘m urging Governor Kay Ivey and Alabama’s leaders to fight this bill and protect our state’s future.

For too long, small businesses in places like Atmore and students in Ashland have struggled with spotty, unreliable internet. Slow connections choke economic growth, limit online learning, and hinder access to telemedicine in Wilcox County. The BEAD program empowers Alabama to roll out fiber-optic broadband—fast, durable, and future-proof. Governor Ivey’s broadband team, working with the Alabama Digital Expansion Division, has crafted a meticulous plan to connect rural counties and urban hubs alike. This isn’t just about internet; it’s about leveling the playing field for every Alabamian, from Athens to Dauphin Island.

The “SPEED for BEAD Act” claims to accelerate progress, but it’s a shortcut to nowhere. It would force Alabama to rewrite its carefully designed broadband plans, stalling projects for months, if not years. Rural communities, already underserved, would face the longest delays, deepening the digital divide. This isn’t speed—it’s a bureaucratic dead end that risks squandering federal funds and public trust.

Worse, the bill pushes satellite internet as a primary solution. I‘m all for exploring new technologies, but satellites are no match for Alabama’s needs. They deliver sluggish upload speeds—5 to 20 Mbps at best—barely sufficient for a Zoom call, let alone data-heavy applications like precision agriculture or telehealth diagnostics. Satellite performance degrades as more users log on, and their hardware burns out in roughly five years, requiring costly replacements. Fiber, by contrast, lasts 30 years or more, with speeds that scale as technology advances—no new cables needed. Why gamble on fleeting space junk when we can invest in infrastructure as enduring as Mobile’s Bankhead Tunnel?

Jobs are another casualty of this bill. Fiber projects create high-quality, local employment—laying cables, maintaining networks, and training technicians. BEAD’s rules allow Alabama to prioritize fair wages and hometown hiring, fostering careers that sustain communities. The “SPEED” bill scraps these protections, opening the door to low-wage, out-of-state contractors who’ll disappear once the job’s done. That’s not Alabama’s way. Governor Ivey has championed workforce development, from manufacturing to tech, and she won’t let Washington shortchange our workers.

The bill’s “tech-neutral” label is deceptive. By prioritizing satellites, even where fiber is more cost-effective and reliable, it creates a two-tier system: fast, dependable internet for Birmingham and Montgomery, but second-rate service for Greene County and Crenshaw County. Our farmers need robust connections to access online markets. Our students deserve seamless access to virtual classrooms. Our rural clinics rely on telehealth to save lives. Equal access isn’t negotiable—it’s essential.

Governor Ivey’s fiber-first vision is Alabama’s shot at infrastructure that rivals the legacy of our state’s greatest projects. Satellites may supplement connectivity in the most remote areas, but they’re no substitute for fiber’s reliability and longevity. Our Congressional delegation must reject the “SPEED for BEAD Act” and support Alabama’s plan. Public funds should build lasting jobs, bridge the digital divide, and connect every Alabamian. Governor Ivey, you’ve led on rural broadband with clarity and resolve—keep Alabama on the path to a connected, prosperous future. Our state is counting on you.

Jason James, a lifelong resident of South Baldwin, lives in Summerdale and serves as the Alabama Legislative & Political Director for the Communications Workers of America.