In today’s world, internet access isn’t a luxury - it’s a necessity. Yet over 22% of Americans in rural areas lack access to reliable broadband, according to the FCC’s 2024 Broadband Progress Report. That translates to millions of families without the tools they need to learn, work, and thrive in a connected society.

Imagine a student trying to keep up with online homework on a weak cellular signal or a small business unable to reach customers because of painfully slow internet. These aren’t hypothetical scenarios - they happen every day across rural America.

The Real Costs of Disconnection

The digital divide goes beyond missed video calls or buffering movies. The Pew Research Center reports that rural students are twice as likely to struggle with remote learning compared to their urban peers. Small businesses in rural communities lose out on roughly $47 billion a year in potential e-commerce sales due to inadequate internet, according to a 2023 USDA estimate.

On top of that, a 2022 National Rural Health Association study found that 40% of rural residents lack reliable broadband for telehealth appointments, putting them at risk of missing vital medical care.

More Than Infrastructure: A Community Necessity

Expanding rural broadband is more than laying fiber-optic cables. It means giving farmers access to precision agriculture, allowing patients to see doctors without a long drive, and keeping families connected to opportunities.

Broadband supports:

• Local job creation

• Remote work opportunities

• Smart agriculture and sustainability

• Stronger, more resilient communities

These benefits ripple outward, driving local economies and helping entire regions stay competitive in a changing world.

What It Takes to Close the Gap

Building rural broadband isn’t simple. Terrain, permitting, and costs can make it challenging. But federal initiatives like the BEAD Program (Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment) are investing billions to close this divide. Partnerships among government, community groups, and private industry are accelerating progress.

Utilities One Group is proud to be part of this effort, working to bring robust, future-proof networks to even the hardest-to-reach homes and businesses.

Why It Matters

Connectivity has the power to transform lives. No child should have to do their homework from a library parking lot. No farmer should be left behind because their equipment can’t connect to the latest smart technology. No rural clinic should struggle to deliver modern care because of a slow connection.

High-speed broadband can - and should - reach every community in America. Together, we can bridge the digital gap and ensure that no one is left offline.