High-speed Internet can break down the barriers of time and distance, allowing people living in rural areas to be part of social and economic activities beyond their locality. Unlimited wireless Internet is available in rural areas all over the USA.
Broadband technology can eliminate the logistical challenges of regionally-based business models, making it possible for businesses in rural regions to compete with those in big cities. The numerous benefits for society and economics facilitated through the availability of high-speed Internet for rural regions benefit all nations.
Current Challenges
The Pew Internet and American Life Project revealed that rural people are less likely to use broadband than urban dwellers. In addition, a study conducted by Connected Nation found the rural population is 19%.
Believe they don't use broadband as it isn't accessible in their area. However, it is equally challenging that most rural residents are unaware of the immense benefits offered to them by high-speed Internet.
Most rural residents who do not have a broadband connection at home claim that they don't need it. Cost is also a problem for both the service provider as well as residents.
For instance, 22,4 per cent of people living in rural communities claim they do not use broadband services because they are expensive. The Purpose of sparsely populated rural areas is usually viewed as unsustainable by telecom companies.
The advantages accrued from High-Speed Internet for Rural Communities.
- With access to cheap broadband, rural businesses confined only to the local market, like "mom and pop" shops or small-scale businesses based at home, can extend their reach across the nation and possibly around the world.
- Broadband offers direct access to health and education treatment for rural residents who have to journey long distances for medical and college courses.
- Rural libraries that are upgraded with high-speed Internet frequently experience a renewed surge of community involvement and interest. High-speed Internet allows rural residents access to worldwide information and cultural information.
- Affordable broadband allows historically urban-based businesses such as graphic design, web design, and other innovative industries to flourish in rural environments as they compete with urban-based businesses.
- In real-time, farmers have access to crucial information, such as weather forecasts or prices for crops and marketing opportunities with high-speed networks.
Recommendations
- Initiatives to extend high-speed Internet should concentrate on extending the network infrastructure to rural areas.
- The measures to raise awareness of the importance of high-speed Internet should focus on areas with low adoption rates.
- Initiatives that keep the cost of high-speed Internet in rural areas that are not well-served affordable should be backed.