Broadband

Broadband

David Sparks Ph.D.
David Sparks Ph.D.
Access to affordable and reliable broadband is critical to modern agricultural practices and the quality of life for rural Americans. Technological advances are relying more and more on connectivity, which makes it increasingly imperative to close the digital divide between rural and urban areas of America. According to the FCC's 2018 Broadband Deployment Report, 24 million rural Americans still lack adequate access to broadband. Additionally, 29 percentof farmers do not have internet access, making it nearly impossible to use technologically advanced, efficient, economical and environmentally responsible farming tools and techniques. Access to broadband is no longer a luxury, it's a necessity.

Recently, the administration published the "American Broadband Initiative Milestones Report," which highlights the major government initiatives for deploying broadband infrastructure and bringing e-connectivity to rural populations. The recommendations are centered around e-connectivity, quality of life, rural workforce, technology and economic development. The recommendations focus primarily on strengthening current programs by streamlining federal permitting processes and maximizing the impact of federal funding streams.

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