High-speed Internet proposal brings fears of duplication

Intro:	Plans to bring high-speed Internet across the state riled one state senator. Rebecca Beitsch (BYE-tch) has more from the state Capitol.
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Wrap: State plans to expand high-speed Internet access in rural communities ruffled the feathers of some state senators who said they don't want to pay to install lines that may already be underground.

St. Charles Senator Scott Rupp:

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Description: "Will be be expending state dollars to build something that we don't know if it currently exists. We're just taking a shot it the dark."

But Paul Wilson, director of Transform Missouri, said research has already shown there is a need in rural communities.

From the state Capitol, I'm Rebecca Beitsch, Newsradio 1120 KMOX.

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Intro:	Transform Missouri's plans to bring high-speed Internet to rural Missouri may face a steep fight from one Missouri senator. Rebecca Beitsch (BYE-tch) has more from the state Capitol.
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Wrap: Paul Wilson, director of the Transform Missouri Initiative, said rural Missouri is lacking when it comes to access to high-speed Internet.

But Maryville Senator Brad Lager said that without better research on what lines are already in the ground, he's voting no.

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Description: "But I cant tell you this, if we don't have a comprehensive plan moving forward, I'm fighting every step of the way for any funding of any kind."

Wilson said that without installing new lines, rural Missouri's schools and offices will have to deal with dial-up, which he says is an impractical way to view most Web pages.

From the state Capital, I'm Rebecca Beitsch, Newsradio 1120 KMOX.

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Intro:	Plans to increase high-speed Internet access to rural Missouri sparked opposition from some state senators. Rebecca Beitsch (BYE-tch) has more from the state Capitol.
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Wrap: Some senators criticized that expanding broadband access in rural Missouri would be costly and duplicate existing equipment.

But Transform Missouri Director Paul Wilson said once you leave the I-70 corridor, you lose access to usable Internet.

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Description: "We talk about high-speed Internet as though there's some other kind anymore. There really isn't. I mean if you don't have high-speed Internet you can't use the Internet the way it works today."

Wilson said the project does not aim to rebuild what already exists.

From the state Capitol, I'm Rebecca Beitsch, Newsradio 1120, KMOX.

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