Inadequate rural broadband infrastructure persists in America
Heythere! I'm in a real pickle over here, you know? I'm stuck at a McDonald's, trying to get some work done on a Friday afternoon. My house has taken a hit thanks to a water leak and the damage has left me in quite a mess - electrical wiring, cable internet equipment, water heater, you name it! I'd say it's a hell of a way to start the week.
I've managed to connect my internet once again, but let me tell you; finding adequate high-speed internet in the countryside is like searching for a needle in a haystack. I've only got one provider to choose from, and they need to replace some equipment on my property, which will happen on Wednesday. Until then, I'm on my own. It's not about blaming the provider of course, and I understand they can't just send a technician out into the woods if they're busy. But that doesn't help my situation.
Now here's the kicker: cellular coverage is pretty much non-existent. All the big promises of nationwide wireless broadband thanks to the miracle of 5G? Turns out it was just hot air. Don't get me wrong, I do have cell service, but it's painfully slow, rendering it close to useless for work. My choices for wireless providers are T-Mobile or one of several MVNOs that use T-Mobile's infrastructure. I even tried an Home Internet kit, but it didn't cut it.
I enjoy living out here, but it's high time for everyone to face the truth: rural communities have been continuously promised access to modern information with adequate internet for the past few decades, yet the promise remains elusive. If you don't happen to be in the U.S. or Canada, you might not understand – most people live close to metropolitan areas, which means vast, sparsely populated areas are often ignored.
There's no simple solution to this problem, though. The government-controlled broadband access is the only real option, but there aren't enough people in my little community to justify new equipment or more cellular installations. It's tough to accept, but corporations aren't going to lose money on my behalf.
So here I am, stuck at a sticky McDonald's table, waiting for my provider to fix their equipment. It's starting to feel like I need to make a choice: stay in this peaceful place with clean air, friendly neighbors, and great fishing, or move somewhere that provides better technological support for my career. I long for the days when I could just focus on wiring houses and make a decent living without these complications. But construction sites aren't the most accessible places for someone in a wheelchair, so that's not an option any longer.
Regrettably, there's nothing you can do to help me, but it's essential that you're aware of the plight of rural communities. Ignore the rosy ads and testimonials; talk to people who actually live in rural areas, including myself in a couple of days. Remember, true progress has yet to reach many rural areas, but there are enough people who need someone to care.
The lack of high-speed, reliable internet in the countryside is a ongoing struggle, as it resembles searching for a needle in a haystack, making it difficult to work efficiently. Quinnitely, the promises of nationwide wireless broadband, such as 5G, appear to be hollow when it comes to rural communities, leaving inhabitants like myself with slow and inadequate cellular services.
