Six Ways Broadband Leaders are Transforming Rural America
Earlier this week, NCTA, in partnership with the Rural Broadband Caucus, hosted a panel discussion in Washington, DC, where member companies shared programs and initiatives they are implementing to expand high-speed broadband networks, including gigabit service, to underserved areas. "If we're going to make any progress in revitalizing rural America, then broadband is just bottomline essential. It is not a red state/blue state deal," said Rep. Peter Welch (D-VT), co-chair of the caucus, in his opening remarks. "It's about making that decision we made in the 1930s when we electrified America
What Cable Operators Are Doing to Close the Digital Divide in Rural America
On Tuesday, NCTA in cooperation with the Rural Broadband Caucus will gather policymakers and stakeholders to discuss the successful strategies and projects that cable operators are using to close the digital divide in rural America. There isn't a more critical time to hold this conversation than the present. While most American households can access a broadband connection, six percent of all Americans and 26 percent in rural America remain unconnected to high internet speeds (25 Mbps or more) and are missing out on the promises and benefits the internet offers. Extending robust broadband
From The Real World to Rural Broadband, Congressman Sean Duffy Shares His Insights
NCTA recently had the opportunity to interview Rep. Sean Duffy (R-WI), who gained fame long before his Congressional days when he started out on MTV's The Real World Boston in 1997. Duffy's career experience is unique in that not only did he get to be a part of reality TV when it was still in its infancy, but he also gleaned important lessons that he says still help him in his current role as the representative for the central and northern Wisconsin region. His stint with MTV also led him to star in a Road Rules: All Stars special, where he met his wife, Rachel Campos-Duffy, and with whom he
Connecting the Last 10 Percent of Americans
It’s easy to take for granted all of the possibilities that an internet connection provides. The majority of people rely on the internet to live their everyday lives, and it’s hard to imagine life without it. According to a recent Pew study, about 90 percent of Americans use the internet. That might not come as a shock, considering about a quarter of Americans (26 percent) say they’re online “almost constantly.” However, that still leaves 10 percent of Americans who don’t use the internet. So what’s keeping them from going online? First, it’s worth noting that the same Pew study in 2013 found
Mediacom Ignites Innovation in Missouri
In Columbia, Missouri, business is stirring and innovation is found in just as many places as Silicon Valley. Many of these startups are taking off from the Missouri Innovation Center—a nonprofit located within the University of Missouri campus that supports business ventures—and these innovators are doing everything from finding cures for cancers to producing satellite imagery for corn fertilization purposes. What's important to note is that these companies are fueled by a strong and robust network delivered by Mediacom—which serves 22 states primarily in the Midwestern and Southeastern
Improving Broadband Reporting and Mapping
Federal communications policy has long recognized both the virtue of competition in speeding the rapid deployment of broadband technology and the reality that some areas of the country – whether due to challenging geography or economics – are unable to attract the investment required to support broadband access without targeted government help. The federal government spends billions of dollars each year through the Connect America Fund and other programs to promote broadband deployment to these unserved areas, so it is critical that these programs work as efficiently and effectively as
Midco: Making a Difference in Rural America Through Broadband Investment
Today, Midco's Senior Director of Government Relations Justin Forde will testify before the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology on strides the ISP has made in delivering broadband to rural America, and the critical work that must be done at the federal level to shrink the digital divide in America. Midco is one of America's leaders when it comes to bringing rural America up to speed. The ISP reaches more than 400,000 customers in 400 communities throughout South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota, Kansas, and Wisconsin, some of which have populations of fewer than 100 people. The
How Does a Fixed Wireless Network…Work?
Diverse geography and terrain, coupled with the sheer size of the United States pose significant challenges to delivering high-speed internet to every corner of our country. In places where miles of wilderness and farmland separate neighbors, the challenges to deploying a fiber network can be prohibitive. However, two ISPs are finding new solutions to connect even the most remote Americans. Recently, Midco and Charter have begun investing in fixed wireless technology to reach consumers. Midco began offering its customers a fixed wireless service earlier this year through its acquisition of
How the FCC Can Remove Local Barriers to Faster Broadband Deployment
Cities and small towns throughout the U.S. are thriving on high-speed internet. The ultrafast connectivity deployed by America's broadband providers is transforming economies, businesses, education, healthcare, and entertainment, and strengthening relationships through online interactions. The gigabit era has arrived, and thanks to cable's investment in infrastructure, 74 percent of its footprint now has gigabit service available. Each year, the speeds offered by cable ISPs get significantly faster and the networks even more robust. But even prior to internet (and video) services reaching
Charter's Trials in Wireless Technologies Will Bring More Coverage to Unserved Areas
Over the past two decades, cable broadband providers have invested over $275 billion in building robust high-speed broadband networks that power the online experiences for millions of Americans every day. As a result, more than 90 percent of U.S. homes now have hyper-fast connectivity, but there are still areas where there is not sufficient access to high-speed broadband. To continue closing this gap, ISPs are hard at work looking for innovative ways to bring fast and reliable internet to such communities. Charter Communications—which spans 41 states and has invested more than $27 billion