Many are discussing using broadband to open rural development. And while it's true that wireless broadband access for all will open doors for many, it shouldn't be forgotten that there are many who also need computers from which to access the broadband.
South Carolina's Congressman Mike McIntyre, chairman of the House Agriculture Committee’s Subcommittee on Rural Development, Biotechnology, Specialty Crops, and Foreign Agriculture, has recently beein involved in reviewing Federal efforts to expand broadband access in rural areas.
In a press release, McIntyre said "The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 provided the USDA’s Rural Utilities Service and the Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and
Information Administration with $7.2 billion total to expand access to broadband services in the United States. The 2008 Farm Bill reauthorized the USDA broadband loan program and improved the criteria used by USDA to select broadband projects for loans, loan and grant combinations, and grants."
While it will no doubt be a tremendous asset to access information, entertainment and news from a computer via high speed internet service, as the dial up available in must rural settings is not powerful enough to run most Internet sites, we would all do well to remember those who do not have computer access.
“Access to high speed broad Internet is vital to our everyday lives, providing access to job opportunities, education, medical care, and the global marketplace. Countless citizens in rural America are unable to access broadband despite a strong desire to receive the service,” Subcommittee Chairman McIntyre said in his press release.
On a good day in Marion County, in some remote locations, it's still difficult to hold a cellular telephone signal for a telephone call. Having a phone means little if service isn't available or affordable.
It's important McIntyre and others work to bring jobs to rural America so workers can purchase computers and pay for the broadband access. It's one thing to offer a service in an area, it's another thing altogether to make sure people have true access to such services.
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