Bridging the Rural Broadband "Digital Divide": A Key to Success

A two-year collaborative research effort between Mississippi-based C Spire and various tech firms has concluded that pursuing cooperative technology, financial, and partnership efforts is crucial to resolving the rural broadband access problem. The research team, composed of C Spire and its collaborators, including Airspan, Facebook, Microsoft, Nokia, Siklu, and Telesat, aimed to identify effective solutions to bridge the "digital divide." By working together, the team published four white papers, case studies, and test report bulletins, which highlighted the importance of access to fiber backhaul and cell site infrastructure, as well as local knowledge, in successfully deploying rural broadband.

Key Takeaways:

• The study found that access to fiber backhaul and cell site infrastructure, as well as local knowledge, are crucial for the successful deployment of rural broadband.
• Two key ingredients to success in deploying rural broadband are access to infrastructure at reasonable rates and flexible pricing models, and local knowledge that can help make deployment more successful.
• The research concluded that established and startup internet service providers, local broadband advocates, and infrastructure providers are all key players in overall connectivity efforts.
• New partnerships, business models, and technologies are required to sustainably connect those not or under-served by broadband.
• The study highlighted the need for cooperative technology, financial, and partnership efforts to address the rural broadband access problem.
• C Spire's Tech Movement initiative, which is a collaborative effort with the tech industry to build a better future for the region through technology and education, is working to improve broadband access and digital skills in rural areas.
• The broadband "digital divide" between U.S. cities and rural parts of the country is substantial, with 83% of rural residents having access to broadband, compared to 98.5% of urban and suburban areas.

Statistics:

• 83% of rural residents in the United States have access to broadband, according to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) data.
• 98.5% of urban and suburban areas have high-speed access, according to FCC data.
• Over 14.5 million rural Americans still lack access to fixed and wireless service, according to FCC data.
• Mississippi has the second-worst average throughput speeds in the nation, with terrestrial broadband coverage of only 60% compared to a nationwide average of 88%.
• Nearly half of Mississippi's 3 million residents live in rural areas, which puts a significant strain on the state's resources.
• The state ranks 46th nationwide in broadband access and 47th in urban population.

Sources:

• Pivotalsources.com
• Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
• Airspan
• Facebook
• Microsoft
• Nokia
• Siklu
• Telesat
• C Spire