The year 2020 rewrote the rules of our daily lives. Work moved from the offices to the dining room, classrooms transformed into virtual gateways, and family gatherings turned into pixelated faces on screens. The pandemic shifted the spotlight onto one glaring issue – the glaring gap in high-speed internet access for rural areas.
The urban landscape brims with options. The choice of an internet service provider is as abundant as the coffee shops lining the streets. But in rural territories, connecting to the internet is an entirely different struggle.
We need to understand the intricacies of this digital divide and the ongoing quest for reliable Internet in rural areas. Throughout the blog, we will traverse through the challenges and unveil the potential solutions on the horizon.
The United States ranks 3rd globally based on the number of its population connected to the internet. Why then is Rural Internet still a problem, you may ask.
There are several reasons responsible for poor connectivity in Rural America, and these stand as the biggest roadblocks to building infrastructure for the Internet in rural areas in the US:
In rural areas, physical barriers and the natural world present increased challenges. The geographical features of rural landscapes can be treacherous for the development of internet infrastructure for rural areas.
What if there is a large hill between your office and a customer farm? In that scenario, it is going to be challenging to maintain a stable line of sight. As a result, your customers may complain about an unreliable internet connection.
Similarly, rugged terrain, vast distances, and challenging geographical features, such as mountains or forests, can make it difficult to lay cables or set up wireless access points. These challenges to robust internet service also change with the seasons. In the autumn, leaves fall, and this may affect power lines and sensitive equipment.
Broadband infrastructure is very costly to install and maintain in rural areas. This expense primarily arises from the need for extensive networks of fiber optic cables, cellular towers, and satellite technology. For instance, installing Fiber, high-speed internet connectivity in rural areas, is incredibly pricey and logistically difficult.
The high cost of infrastructure development becomes a primary barrier to expanding rural internet options, as private companies may be hesitant to invest in areas with a limited customer base, reducing the potential for profitability.
Expanding digital infrastructure in rural territories involves several logistical complexities as well. The vast distances between communities, remote locations, and the need for specialized equipment and personnel can make the process time-consuming and demanding.
Overcoming these logistical challenges is a crucial aspect of expanding rural internet access. A strong infrastructure will make it easy for rural residents to enjoy high-speed internet either for business or educational purposes.
In contrast to the other challenges, this challenge may be more difficult to notice. Most internet providers are private, for-profit companies. They are more cautious when investing in rural America due to the number of potential customers that can be found in such areas. Since every major ISP focuses on maximizing profit, it is difficult for regions with low person per square area densities to entice major broadband providers to their communities.
Even when some rural communities reach out to major ISPs, they usually get offered Wi-Fi and Data Sticks, which are pricey and do not guarantee access to high-speed internet.
Furthermore, existing large providers make it difficult for new ISPs to break into the market as they usually have an area already staked and may not want the competition. Similarly, some rural ISPs may not have access to low-rate financial markets, making it difficult to invest in improving internet service in rural areas.
Various researchers point out that even the best broadband internet service providers are less likely to provide services in rural areas as it has a lower return on investment and is less cost-effective.
Most Rural communities have become more and more discontent with their rural internet realities. However, there is a lack of viable alternatives as the available options often come with problems that range from reliability to pricing and even unscrupulous practices like internet throttling.
In rural areas, most DSL providers do not guarantee their speeds. DSL internet speeds can vary significantly depending on the distance from the phone company hub, leading to inconsistent and often slow connections.
In rural areas of USA, satellite internet is notorious for being slow and unreliable due to its high latency and ping rates. This can be particularly frustrating when gaming online. Weather fluctuations, like heavy rain or thunderstorms can also affect the quality of your satellite signals.
Mobile hotspots are another Internet option for rural areas. Your cell phone can be used as a mobile hotspot or you can purchase a mobile hotspot device from a cellular provider like Verizon or AT&T. But, mobile hotspots can be expensive with data limits. If you go over your data limits, you could be hit with overage fees or have your speed greatly reduced!
The 4G network has been helpful in spreading internet access to rural areas. It offers more reliable and faster internet options as compared to traditional mobile hotspots. However, in extremely remote areas, even 4G rural internet may have coverage limitations.
While the rural internet challenges are complex, several potential solutions can be helpful in providing reliable connectivity to underserved rural areas:
Government funding, such as the Universal Service Fund, is crucial for expanding internet access in rural areas. The government can encourage ISPs to invest in rural areas by providing subsidies or allocating resources, which addresses the financial barrier to infrastructure expansion.
Collaboration between the public and private sectors is a proactive approach to reduce the financial burden of infrastructure development in rural areas. This partnership approach utilizes public resources and private sector expertise to ensure widespread internet access in rural areas.
Incentives for ISPs, tax benefits, or grants for rural broadband projects encourage private companies to extend their services into rural communities.
Technological advancements can enhance the accessibility of Internet services in rural areas. Leveraging emerging technologies, such as LEO satellite constellations (e.g., SpaceX’s, Star Link), can also offer a promising solution to deliver high-speed internet to remote regions. These tech innovations aim to provide reliable connectivity options for rural communities, overcoming geographical challenges.
High-speed internet connectivity for rural areas has gone from being a luxury to becoming increasingly crucial to life. It is working and swiping cards for small businesses.
Unfortunately, the majority of rural America continues to suffer poor internet coverage by major ISPs because of the cost implications to the Providers. However, the economic ramifications of dealing with rural internet outweigh the cost implications.
Wave Net Internet is one ISP that aims to provide unlimited high-speed internet connections for rural households in the US. With affordable seamless 4G/5G internet packages and stellar customer service, it has become easier for rural communities to enjoy blazing-fast internet connections and combat the limitations of rural internet options in these areas.
I'm incredibly satisfied with WaveNet. Their connection has been consistently reliable, with excellent speeds, and their customer support team has been prompt and helpful whenever I've needed assistance. I highly recommend their service
