Local telecom co-ops offer path to expanding high-speed options in rural Wisconsin
4 Nov 2018
Pepin
Pursuit Of Better Broadband Access in Rural Wisconsin
Limited access to reliable, high-speed internet service is an issue facing rural Wisconsin that generates a lot of attention and calls for action, but change may seem to be moving at a crawl.
For many Wisconsinites, lower-speed broadband options or lack of access entirely stifles individual economic opportunities and limits business development options for communities.
The state fares poorly in national rankings of this infrastructure. U.S. News and World Report lists Wisconsin:
• 41st in the United States in its ranking for internet access
• 40th for ultra-fast internet access and
• 32nd for broadband access.
Meanwhile, a report released in July ranked Wisconsin 36th in the nation for mobile phone internet speeds.
The status of broadband access and speed is a well-established issue in Wisconsin, particularly in more rural areas such asthe state’s northern reaches. Knowing exactly where in Wisconsin broadband is not readily available, though, is necessary for defining the scope of this issue, and taking steps to improve access for affected areas.
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