For inhabitants of urban areas, Internet access feels like a guarantee. However, rural residents know that having access to reliable Internet is anything but certain.

To bridge that connectivity gap and help expand the reach of broadband service to rural areas, the Affordable Connectivity Program was created in late 2021.

But what kind of infrastructure is available to rural communities looking to expand access to all residents? Multiple types of infrastructure can create broadband connectivity, each with unique benefits and drawbacks. In all cases, cost is a driving consideration. 

No singular solution will work to equip all rural areas with high-speed broadband because every area has a unique baseline of resources available and different considerations when selecting broadband infrastructure that works for their region.

This post breaks down five kinds of Internet infrastructure and where rural communities might best utilize it.

Five Types of Broadband Infrastructure

Broadband infrastructure refers to the networks of deployed telecommunications equipment and technologies necessary to provide high-speed Internet access.

The most commonly used broadband infrastructures include plain old telephone services, fiber-optic cables, satellites, 4G and 5G networks, and fixed-wireless networks. 

Let’s look at each in detail, including the benefits and drawbacks.

1. Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS) 

Plain Old Telephone Service is the traditional analog phone service operating through physical copper wires. 

These are the old-school telephone poles and wires draped along roadsides and over hills, connecting individual homes to communication networks. 

The benefits of upgrading the POTS system are clear: 

Copper wires in good condition can be enhanced with the addition of a modem (a digital device that converts phone data into a data format that’s transmissible through the POTS), yielding high-speed internet connectivity. 

Established telephone lines in rural areas are commonplace, which makes them an excellent resource for expanding high-speed internet to rural areas. Modems in the home physically connect a computer to the Internet through a cable and provide fast and stable connections. 

The list of drawbacks, however, is not insignificant:

Signal interference often comes from inclement weather; because the infrastructure is out in the open, damage to the poles and wires will interrupt services. 

Attenuation (the loss of signal over distance) occurs as a user is further from robust POTS infrastructure. 

Users also experience asymmetrical speeds for uploading and downloading.

2. Fiber-Optic Cables

Unlike the copper cables in POTS systems which use electrical voltage to transmit data, fiber-optic cables are broadband-specific cables buried underground that create a communicating network of glass or plastic carrying light (data).

This revolutionary invention provides a fast and reliable internet connection, and because the cables are buried, the quality of the connection is not impacted by weather and is infrequently damaged. 

Certainly, drawbacks exist:

It is a labor-intensive resource to deploy (and not cheap)! 

For example, the cost for providers to install fiber-optic calves is between $1 and $6 per linear foot of cable. However, this does not include labor and machinery, conduit, and any unforeseen setbacks a large installation might face.

Furthermore, burying cables is challenging in rough terrain, which elevates the cost and may be prohibitive to the process. In addition, there are sometimes right-of-way concerns.

Despite the drawbacks, this technology has been used for decades and will remain the dominant method of transmitting information for the foreseeable future. 

Given the preference for this method, there have been some advances in the deployment process.

For example, some engineers are using a method called microtrenching, where instead of burying the cables three feet below the ground as is traditional, a narrow cut in the ground is made that’s approximately 1-2 inches wide and up to one foot deep.

A State to Emulate

North Dakota offers a success story in the deployment of fiber-optic cable networks. The state installed hundreds of miles of high-speed fiber-optic cables through a federal program launched under President Obama, the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP). 

Through BTOP, North Dakota prioritized running high-speed fiber-optic cables to large universities around the state. Establishing these public institutions as hubs for high-speed internet increased the number of anchor networks around the state and decreased the middle mile gap. 

As shown on the map below, North Dakota has some of the most effective high-speed Internet in the nation.

3. Satellite Internet 

Satellite Internet uses a satellite dish that facilitates two-way (upload and download) data transmission. Individual users place a small satellite dish on top of their roof or another static object on their property, transmitting data signals from the at-home satellite dish to one in orbit around the Earth.

Installing a satellite dish is simple and once established, the Internet connection is immediate and often faster than a POTS connection. Compared to fiber-optic, however, satellite service is slower. 

Its ease of installment and non-reliance on larger Internet providers is a significant perk for users in rural and remote areas. However, while a satellite server would not be subject to the functionality of an entire system such as the POTS and fiber-optic, damage to the individual device is possible and would immediately interrupt service. 

Additionally, satellite service sometimes experiences signal interference due to weather.

Cost to the user is one drawback of satellite service. The average cost of a satellite internet plan is $110/month, not including the initial cost of purchasing the satellite and having it installed, altogether a few hundred dollars.

4. 4G and 5G Networks 

Mobile/Cellular carriers provide 4G (fourth generation) and 5G (fifth generation) networks of cellular communication, which use radio waves to transmit data that enables Internet connection.

The difference between 4G and 5G is the data transmission speed. 5G networks are more efficient, capable of handling more connections per antenna and providing faster upload and download speeds; 5G will eventually replace the 4G network. 

And antennas that navigate these radio waves can be placed on established infrastructure like telephone poles and public institutions.

The ubiquity and portability of mobile devices like cell phones make this method of internet connectivity desirable. 

Once providers install the 4G or 5G antennas, users immediately benefit. While 4G networks were designed with cellphones in mind, 5G networks are designed to be compatible with other industrial technology.

Farmers in rural America already benefit from this advanced infrastructure as they use high-tech tractors to coordinate planting, watering, harvesting, and crop data. 

Unsurprisingly, reliable cellular access is still challenging in rural and remote areas, with people reporting spotty to no coverage. Because of this, as 4G and 5G networks expand, providers will need to consider how to reach areas that still lack adequate cell coverage.

5. Fixed-Wireless Networks 

Fixed-wireless networks are stationary towers and antennas that carry data through radio waves transmitting a carrier’s signal across frequencies. Significantly, this technology advances 5G networks of cellular communication that enable Internet connection. 

Fixed-wireless deployment relies on a central tower that broadcasts signals to other receivers installed on individual users. Like a satellite dish, a 5G antenna can be installed on a user’s property and provide a wireless connection to multiple personal devices. 

Much like 4G and 5G networks, the main benefit of fixed-wireless networks is that it builds upon the commonplace technology of cell phone service. It also rivals fiber-optic cable connectivity in speed.

However, the cost of bringing a fixed-wireless network to the home is not insignificant. Similar to satellite connectivity, there is a cost for installation and varying equipment such as the antenna, router, and surge protector. 

Another commonly cited drawback to fixed-wireless is that when multiple devices are connected to a fixed-wireless antenna and used simultaneously, the connection becomes less effective. Attenuation is also a factor for fixed-wireless networks, with greater distance from the antenna reducing the connection speeds. 

And similar to the 4G and 5G networks, in areas with little to no existing cell phone coverage, there is reduced opportunity for fixed-wireless networks. 

Given the options for bringing broadband to rural America, the average urbanite might think it’s simple to achieve. But as any rural resident can tell you, it’s a little more complicated.

Broadband Internet Infrastructure Options for Rural Areas

While demand for high-speed internet is high, there is no single “right” answer for bringing that connectivity to rural communities. 

Not all communities, for example, have a POTS that they can modify to provide Internet connectivity. A satellite or 5G option would be more effective in that case. 

Ultimately, the answer to how to bring high-speed Internet to rural America will be multifaceted, using all infrastructure deployment methods.

In an effort to share stories of success nationwide, and given the unique solutions each community will need to deploy to provide their residents with broadband internet, we invite you to share your experience by leaving a comment here or starting a conversation on Twitter (@RuralRISE).

If you were raised in the 1980s or earlier, chances are you grew up analog. But fast forward into the 21st century, and the Internet has become a necessity. Sadly, not everyone has equal access to this needed service.

The good news? With modern daily life relying on the Internet, the federal government has created pathways to promote access to affordable Internet for individuals, communities, and businesses.

The process involves modernizing legislation around broadband provisions – such as the recent executive order promoting competition in the broadband sector – and proposing new bills to establish broadband affordability. 

These efforts have yielded many federal programs that provide pathways to users looking to improve their connectivity or reduce the cost of their Internet access. Some pathways are even targeted to specific groups like Indigenous communities and rural hubs like libraries and schools. 

Let’s look at why these efforts are essential.

Accessing Online Resources Isn’t Optional

The White House acknowledges that access to high-speed internet is no longer considered a luxury but is a crucial resource for our daily lives. 

However, the current broadband landscape shows noticeable gaps in accessibility across America. While many factors contribute – like age, socioeconomic status, and race – these gaps are especially pronounced between rural and urban areas.

Broadband infrastructure was historically deployed across more accessible, affluent, and densely populated communities. Unfortunately, this often neglects low-income, minority, and rural communities. 

Of the 25 million Americans that lack broadband access, 19 million live in rural areas. Survey data from the Pew Research Center reports that 58% of adults in rural areas have a high-speed broadband connection at home, as opposed to 67% in urban areas and 70% in suburban areas.

This gap between people who have access to broadband services (and know how to use them) and those who do not have such access or knowledge is called the “digital divide.” Minimizing this divide is critical to the success of individuals, businesses, and our nation as a whole.

To help begin to bridge this divide this article will describe the current major pathways users can choose when seeking to improve or initiate affordable rural Internet access in their community.

Federal Programs and Points of Access

Many federal programs work to equip and assist public institutions with acquiring needed Internet services rather than focusing on individual users. 

This trickle-down tactic has its pitfalls for everyday users of the Internet. Because the cost of installing broadband has historically been high, individuals have gone without this resource in their homes.

Federal agencies that provide funding to support broadband access include the:

• Federal Communications Commission (FCC), 
• U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and 
• National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). 

The United States Government Accountability Office (GAO) has identified 133 current funding programs within these agencies to support broadband access. 

However, many of these programs are designed for organizations to deploy broadband, so they do not directly serve individuals. These varied access points create an unclear set of directions for providers, and the GAO has called for a strategy to coordinate these programs and reduce confusion.

Before we move on, let’s examine three programs and pieces of legislation.

Federal Programs for Affordable Broadband

One early federal program that has worked to assist public institutions with broadband infrastructure is the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) E-Rate program. It was established in 1996 to make services more affordable for schools and libraries by providing discounts for telecommunications, Internet access, and internal connections. 

This program has been impactful but left gaps in provisions since broadband infrastructure has moved well beyond the confines of schools and libraries.

The recently passed Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) was signed into law in November 2021. This law aims to address many infrastructure issues faced by the current U.S. infrastructure landscape, including broadband accessibility. 

It has laid the groundwork for significant advancements in broadband provisions and accessibility, including ease of infrastructure installation for businesses and reducing costs for individual users. 

The FCC launched the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) just after the BIL was signed into law. This program assists individuals in a way other funding programs do not. 

The ACP is a legislative solution to broadband affordability that assists families and households who struggle to afford Internet service. It includes broadband discounts to eligible individuals and households.

Next, we’ll look at what’s being done to make things easier for end users.

The ACP and Ease of Use

The goal of the ACP is to simplify entry into federal programs that support Internet installment. Following are a few examples of how this new legislation will help.

Responsibility for contacting eligible households has been placed onto the federal agencies already providing financial assistance to Americans (e.g., Pell Grants, Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income, SNAP, and Free and Reduced-Price School Lunches).

The presidential administration is partnering with states and cities to spread the word through state avenues of communication such as text alerts, flyers, and email newsletters.

Public interest organizations will conduct direct enrollment and outreach because organizations like United Way and Goodwill (among others) have significant user bases that can benefit from these new programs. 

The government has also established easy-to-use websites to streamline applications:

1. GetInternet.gov details how Americans can sign up for the ACP and find participating Internet providers in their area.
2. Affordableconnectivity.gov takes users to the program homepage.

Next, let’s move the conversation to how these federal programs impact historically marginalized communities.

Broadband and Indigenous Communities 

Notably, the BIL shows a commitment to providing broadband access to Tribal territories and Indigenous communities. 

In 2019, the American Indian Policy Institute (AIPI) found that 18% of Tribal reservation residents have no Internet access at all, and 33% rely only on smartphones for Internet service.

Regrettably, this solution pales in efficacy compared to other Internet access methods.

To correct this particular digital divide, the BIL has created $13 billion in funding to support general infrastructure in Tribal communities, with specific programs promoting affordable, high-speed Internet: 

• The Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program will distribute grants to be used for the expansion of access to and adoption of broadband services on tribal land or remote learning, telework, or telehealth resources. 
• Additional grant programs for Tribal territories include the State Digital Equity Planning Grant, the State Digital Equity Capacity Grant, and the Digital Equity Competitive Grant. 
• Tribal governments are encouraged to consider cybersecurity when deploying broadband infrastructure. The BIL has set aside $30 million through the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Programs specifically for Tribal governments to use for cybersecurity efforts.

Visit the ACP’s “Enhanced Tribal Benefit” website to learn more about qualifying for broadband resources through this program.

So what’s next for rural residents?

Next Steps in the Search for Affordable Rural Broadband

The Internet has not only become a resource for enrichment; it is also growing as a tool to provide resources such as healthcare, education, security, and more. 

State and federal resources are also offered and managed through broadband Internet. For example, the ease with which everyday Americans can email the White House, contact their Senator or House Representative, or research ballots in upcoming elections is directly tied to access to the Internet. 

When broadband is affordable and accessible, the resources available through it will increase in use and impact society. Therefore, we believe affordable broadband is imperative for the success of individuals, businesses, and our nation

Data from the Pew Research Center reports only 58% of adults in rural areas have high-speed broadband connection at home, as opposed to 67% of adults in urban areas and 70% of adults in suburban areas. And according to the 2016 U.S. Census Bureau, nearly one-fifth of the United States population (61 million people) resides in rural areas of the country.

Broadband accessibility has become a fundamental part of our everyday lives and is often recognized as a need for effective modern living. But since so many people in America (especially in rural areas) lack broadband access, there is a high level of inequality when it comes to who reaps the benefits of the internet.

The pandemic revealed just how critical broadband access has become: as our nation weathered the pandemic shut-downs with a shift to virtual work, learning, and living, rural communities have had notable challenges keeping up.

In one mid-pandemic survey by Satellite Internet, 29% of respondents said their current internet connection has difficulties supporting WFH or online learning and over 30% use a hotspot or mobile tethering at home to get internet access (which is often slower and more expensive than internet plans available in urban areas). 

Rural communities are an integral part of the American economy, security, and identity. Outfitting these communities with broadband resources invests in their potential.

Through the National Rural Broadband Plan White Paper, RuralRISE and RuralRISE Tech provide insight into broadband provision gaps, inform policymakers targeting these issues, and encourage the distribution of broadband resources. 

Topics Covered & Questions Raised

Our National Rural Broadband Plan White Paper has been informed through research, review, surveys, and collaborative efforts with partners. In July 2022, we gathered consumer feedback to make our representation of community needs even more robust! 

Broadly, topics covered in the white paper include: 

• The urgent need for the implementation of broadband resources and how the economics of rural America are driving the need for broadband, providing unique opportunities for success,
• Existing infrastructure that can – and should – be leveraged to expand broadband tools (e.g. public infrastructure as well as public institutions),
• Administrative options for broadband provisions, and 
• The greater impacts of inaccessibility on certain rural groups such as Indigenous communities and LGBTQ+ individuals.

The logistics of broadband expansion come with considerations that are critical to the process and this White Paper raises important questions such as:

In what ways is a lack of broadband access contributing to our country’s digital divide?
What is the cost of deployment to providers versus the cost to consumers? And how can the cost be impacted (or offset) through federal assistance programs or private investors?
What are the logistics of choosing the “right” infrastructure for broadband deployment?
What are the unique challenges faced by rural and remote areas that will directly impact the expansion of broadband infrastructure?
What types of partnerships are effective in deployment?
How do we best address the current disproportionate impact of access on marginalized communities?

To help us answer these important questions, we could use your help.

Thank You For Your Feedback!

This white paper will be used to inform the public and policymakers. We want to represent diverse viewpoints and be inclusive in our representation of the issues facing rural communities.

The conclusions and recommendations in this white paper are still being finalized. Thank you to everyone who added their comments and helped us round out this white paper. Stay tuned to RuralRISE this fall when we release the final version of the paper!