Across Canada and the US, the covid-19 pandemic has led to a widespread relocation from major urban regions to more rural areas. With the need for remote working, young families and professionals prefer quieter communities, the space, and affordable housing these areas offer. This trend has exposed the lack of wireless internet for rural areas across these countries. Actually, according to the federal communications commission (FCC), less than 65 percent of rural USA residents have broadband access.
How do rural wireless internet benefit rural communities?
As we know, expanding telecommunication infrastructure in any region is vital. High-speed internet is critical to education, civic engagement, job creation, and health, among other areas.
The following are ways in which rural communities benefit from high-speed internet access:
- Enhances access to education: Often, in remote communities, young people leave after high school to pursue higher education. Nowadays, with internet access in rural areas, you can learn anything you want. You can enroll formally in an online program or research yourself into topics and concepts and teach yourself. These days, most universities offer entire online degree programs. You thus can begin from the lowest level up to a degree from the comfort of your house. People need not leave their rural areas in search of a solid education. Nonetheless, a lack of connection to high-speed internet is a barrier. Many online programs use virtual meetings, cloud computing, and other high-bandwidth activities.
- Enhances health care: High-speed internet connection in rural areas greatly enhances health care access. Healthcare specialists, who might be located far away can reach their clients in real-time. Virtual healthcare options, such as video call appointments with specialists, need large bandwidth with reliable internet connections.
- Enables people to work remotely: Previously, people had to migrate from rural to urban regions where high-speed internet connections and the digital revolution are real. Most rural areas have not been ideal places to work remotely due to inadequate internet connectivity. Nonetheless, with the broadband expansion, people can now work remotely from rural communities. Now that the geographical barrier has been broken people do not have to move to urban areas to access the 5G network.
- Enhances access to jobs: These days, with a high-speed internet connection, you need not wake up early, dress up and drive to work at a major firm. You require waking up in your pajamas, connecting to your hotspot, and start working. Access to wireless internet in rural areas gives residents similar opportunities as those living in popular urban areas. With internet knowledge and how to look for jobs, you can find employment and earn a living.
- Real-time Communication and News: Who would not want to get crucial news updates? Through an internet connection, rural communities can access both national and international news through social media and other digital platforms. Additionally, they can watch emerging issues on YouTube.
- Enables the rural residents to launch businesses: Other than accessing health services and world-class education online, high-speed wireless internet in rural communities enables residents to launch businesses. If you have products or services to offer online, you can build them into an extensive business with the assistance of virtually unlimited high-speed internet. By developing your website from your rural home and signing up with a print-on-demand service, you can sell pretty much anything. The print-on-demand company will produce the product for you and handle all matters related to shipping. All you require is unlimited Wi-Fi and a couch, to build a multimillion-dollar business.
- Promotes domestic tourism: The Internet connection can be critical in attracting visitors to rural areas, particularly those who work via the internet. Many people are fed up with the urban congestion and would be more than willing to relocate to rural settings. Some rural areas are remarkable tourist destinations and would attract more visitors if they are connected to the internet.