Rural Broadband Access Remains Challenging

The broadband growth statistics become more impressive with each new study: 78 percent of all home web users have high-speed connections. Broadband coverage will reach 50 percent of all U.S. households in 2007. And major cities such as Los Angeles are pushing for free or inexpensive wireless access for all residents.

But significant hurdles remain in rural America. According to InfoWorld, Verizon is pushing for government grants and loans to extend broadband options to rural and remote areas. A Verizon executive noted the success of ConnectKentucky, a program that will extend broadband access to 99 percent of the state’s residents by the end of this year.

Verizon proposes redirecting government Department of Agriculture funding and adjusting the Universal Service Fund that focuses on telephone services in rural areas. It could be an uphill battle, though, as Congressional Internet Caucus panelists recently disagreed about the severity of the problem.

The other obstacle, according to Verizon, is identifying the underserved areas. They say a recent FCC study was misleading in its claim that 99 percent of U.S. postal codes have at least one broadband option.

Most Internet growth is measured in months, but these challenges are won’t be solved in that timeframe. Thanks to money, red tape and reluctant providers, broadband access will remain remote for many. For those of us in online marketing, the dial-up user must not be forgotten.