A Call to Action: Why Fixing Rural Broadband Should Be a Priority for the Telecom Industry

In today’s digital age, access to reliable and high-speed internet is more important than ever before. However, for many rural communities across the country, this basic necessity remains elusive. With limited options and poor connectivity, families, businesses, and schools are left struggling to keep up with the rest of the world. That’s why we’re issuing a call to action for the telecom industry: it’s time to prioritize fixing rural broadband once and for all. In this blog post, we’ll explore why this issue matters so much – not just for those living in rural areas but also for our economy as a whole – and what can be done about it. So let’s dive in!

Rural Broadband is Critical for Economic Development

There is no denying the importance of broadband access in rural America. It is essential for economic development, job creation, education opportunities, and so much more. Unfortunately, too many rural areas are still left behind when it comes to having quality broadband services.

Rural broadband should be a priority for the telecom industry because it has tremendous potential to improve the lives of people living in rural communities. In particular, there are a number of reasons why fixing rural broadband should be a top priority for telecom companies:

1) Broadband Is Critical for Economic Development: Rural areas tend to have lower levels of economic development than urban areas due to a number of factors, one of which is lack of access to quality broadband services. Lack of broadband access hinders businesses from expanding and creating new jobs, limits educational opportunities for children in rural areas, and limits residents’ ability to participate in economic activities such as online shopping or working from home. According to the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), “81% of Americans who live in rural areas use the internet at least once a week…[and] 47% say they have launched or completed a business because they found products or services they needed while surfing the web” (Lichtman). With so much riding on improved broadband access in rural America, it is essential that telecom companies work together with government officials and nonprofit organizations to ensure that all communities have access to high-quality internet service.

2) Broadband Is

The Benefits of Rural Broadband

The telecommunications industry is currently struggling to keep up with the ever-growing needs of rural customers. Rural broadband provides a unique opportunity for telecom providers to tap into these underserved markets and improve the quality of service for their customers.

Rural broadband can improve education access, health care, economic development, and much more. Here are just some of the benefits that rural broadband can provide:

Access to Better Education: There are many reasons why improved access to quality education is important in rural areas. For one, it can help close the skills gap between rural and urban populations. It can also lead to higher employment rates and increased economic growth. In fact, according to a report by The Pew Charitable Trusts, “Improved access to high-quality education has been shown consistently to have positive outcomes across a range of socioeconomic measures.”

Access to Healthcare: Lack of timely access to healthcare is an increasingly common problem in rural areas. This is especially true for elderly residents who often rely on walk or bike trails for transportation. According to the FCC’s 2016 Connect America Fund Report, “Healthcare Access in Rural America”, “[r]ural Americans lack convenient and affordable ways to connect with essential medical professionals face-to-face.”

Economic Development: Improving broadband infrastructure in rural areas can boost economic growth by providing new opportunities for businesses and entrepreneurs. According to a study by IHS Markit, “Improving Broadband Availability in Rural America: Economic Impact Study”,

The Challenges of Rural Broadband

The telecommunications industry is currently facing significant challenges. One of the most pressing issues is the slow and inconsistent adoption of new wireless technologies in rural areas. In many cases, this is because rural broadband cannot provide the same level of connectivity as services offered in more densely populated areas.

This problem has long been recognized by telecommunications providers and regulators. In 2004, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released a report called “Prime Focus: Rural America” which highlighted the need for improved broadband service in rural areas. The report stated that “advanced telecommunications facilities are essential to economic development and social well-being in rural America.” Unfortunately, eight years later little progress has been made on meeting this goal.

One reason for this lack of progress is that it is an expensive undertaking to build out broadband networks in rural areas. This is due to a number of factors, including the fact that there are typically fewer subscribers and a greater distance between towers than in urban areas. Additionally, there are often fewer options for financing such projects due to a smaller pool of investors interested in investing in these types of businesses.

While broadband infrastructure development will continue to be an expensive proposition, it is important that providers take steps to increase the adoption of new wireless technologies in rural areas. Doing so would not only improve internet access for residents, but also provide an opportunity to spur economic development in these underserved communities.

The Telecom Industry’s Role in Fixing Rural Broadband

The telecom industry is well positioned to play a leading role in fixing rural broadband. For years, lawmakers have called for the sector to do more, noting that lack of access to high-speed internet is one of the key reasons why people move to rural areas. But there’s been little action on this front.

The telecom industry can help by deploying its networks and technologies more broadly. This includes improving fixed line services, expanding mobile coverage, and developing new ways to deliver broadband over the internet. In addition, the industry should work with policymakers to develop targeted solutions, such as those that focus on providing funding for infrastructure development or encouraging competition among providers.

As lawmakers consider how best to fix rural broadband, they should remember that telecommunications companies are well-positioned to play a leading role.

Conclusion

Telecom providers have long been considered the main cause of rural broadband issues. With the rise in smartphone use and the growth of streaming services like Netflix, it is more important than ever for telecom companies to invest in improving broadband service in rural areas. Rural Americans are increasingly relying on smartphones and other digital devices to access critical information and participate in civic life. By providing high-speed broadband service, telecom providers can help these Americans join the global economy and improve their quality of life.