The coronavirus pandemic has highlighted just how important access to a reliable internet connection is to our daily lives. For those living in rural areas, however, access to broadband has long been a problem. Fortunately, there is now progress being made to bring broadband access to rural areas.

A study conducted by the University of Minnesota’s Center for Rural Policy and Development found that as of August 2020, more than half of rural households had access to broadband speeds of 25 Mbps or higher. This is up from just 15 percent in 2013.

The study also found that while there is still a disparity between rural and urban internet access, the gap is narrowing. Federal funding and public-private partnerships have made it possible for many rural areas to get access to high-speed internet.

This is great news for those living in rural areas, as access to reliable internet can open up opportunities for education, employment, and communication. With the pandemic showing no signs of slowing down, it is more important than ever to ensure that all Americans can access the internet.

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source: Phys.org