Rep. Bill Faison hopes to expand rural Internet access this session.

The Durham Democrat, chair of the newly renamed Ways, Means and Broadband Connectivity committee, has introduced three bills that would help achieve that goal:

H.B. 135: Broadband Service Providers. Would allow phone companies to offer high-speed Internet access bundled with phone service in areas currently served by other phone companies.

H.B. 136: DOT/Fiber-Optic Cable. Would allow the N.C. Department of Transportation to open up its right-of-ways to allow companies to lay down fiber-optic cable for high-speed Internet service.

H.B. 157: Continue Study/Rural Internet Access. Would allow the joint legislative committee on rural Internet access to continue past the end of this session.

"This problem is going to require multiple solutions," he said.