When it comes to rural internet, USA is getting there slowly but surely. There’s one side where the urban residents can enjoy several internet connections. While there’s another side where the options are scarce and the residents are forced to dwell in the digital divide.
Fortunately, with the latest advancements and investments in the technology sector, rural residents have a lot to set their high expectations for. Let’s take a quick look at all that could mean BIG for the realm of rural internet:
Expanded Broadband Access in Rural Areas
Biden has announced an investment of $100 billion to expand broadband access in the underserved US areas. According to a report from FCC, by the end of 2019, nearly 1.5 million Americans were living in areas with insufficient fixed broadband internet speeds.
The $100 billion investment would assist greatly in expanding substantial internet speeds to underserved rural and tribal areas. Hence, the long-existing Digital Divide would finally begin to fill.
HughesNet. Named as the Satellite Internet Forerunner
HughesNet. is the largest satellite internet provider in the US. With coverage across 50 states under their belt, HughesNet. has played a major role in bringing the internet to underserved American communities.
Recently, US News & World Report 360 acknowledged HughesNet. as 2021’s best satellite internet provider. Satellite internet from HughesNet. delivers superior quality performance at market competitive rates. If you’ve recently moved to a rural locality and have been searching for a reliable internet option then consider HughesNet. To explore top-rated internet packages from HughesNet., visit BuyTVInternetPhone.
COVID Relief Measure to Erase the Digital Divide
US House and Senate have announced a new bill that would make internet affordable for the under and unserved rural communities in America. Since being able to access substantial internet speeds has always been a dilemma in rural America, this step is massive towards making America experience better connectivity.
The brunt of COVID-19 was worse experienced by the American rural communities. Students lagged in online education and work-from-home became a nightmare too, all because of insufficient rural internet speeds and options. Luckily, with measures like these, better internet can become widely available and affordable for all.
Starlink About to Change the Face of Rural Internet for Good
Elon Musk’s Starlink hasn’t been in the market for long and it has already created a buzz. Starlink intends to make the internet available everywhere. There was a time when providers often held back in expanding the infrastructure of rural internet. This resulted in years passing by and rural residents still being deprived of high-speed internet.
Fortunately, with the recent deployment of multiple Starlink satellites in the Earth’s lower orbit, things are looking pretty good for the underserved rural areas. Starlink would not only be making high-speed internet available for underserved communities but also, in time to come, it would make satellite internet available at remarkably affordable price tags.
Half of the U.S. Gears Up to Opt For Starlink
Just as we mentioned above, Starlink has created a buzz in the telecommunications sector. Currently, the percentage of rural Americans using satellite internet is somewhere around 5% only. With Starlink, that number could significantly jump to 50% and higher.
Starlink ran beta tests a few months ago and offered trials to those who were interested. Elon Musk does claim that Starlink is Better Than Nothing. Another thing this new satellite internet provider in the market claims that it offers the lowest latency. Well, speed tests did reveal that Starlink is 95% faster and way more affordable than various other top providers in the market. Chances are, Starlink could give the current internet market leaders a tough run for their money.
Is Rural Internet Looking Good After All?
Gone are the days when the USA’s rural internet suffered the most due to the Digital Divide. Now, with the latest advancements, it looks as though the rural internet in America has finally found its savior.
All this time, the lack of infrastructure for rural internet was blamed for insufficient bandwidth access and minimum options. With the aforementioned news stories, we can safely assume that relevant authorities have finally turned their heads towards the long-deprived rural internet. Let’s see what more can we expect in the future.
