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
Connecting Rural America Through Fixed Wireless Technology
In places where there are more livestock than people and where miles of land separate one household from the next, finding an internet connection can sometimes be challenging. The length of time it would take and the amount it would cost to build a fiber network in certain remote regions can make it nearly impossible to bring high-speed fiber connections to rural areas. But America's internet service providers have been working towards innovative solutions to bridge the digital divide. Some of NCTA's members have begun to explore fixed wireless connectivity as an option to connect customers in
How High-Speed Internet is Improving Education in Rural Schools
Many schools today look a lot different than they used to. High-speed connectivity is encouraging the adoption of 1-to-1 laptop and Bring-Your-Own-Device programs in schools, as well as reputable online learning programs like the Khan Academy, a well-known video lecture site for classroom instruction. But where technology and a broadband connection are having a huge impact in education are in the schools that reside in the most remote parts of the nation. These are communities where miles and miles of land might separate one household from its closest neighbor, or where harsh weather or
Reaching the Last Mile: Hearing on Rural Broadband Examines Solutions to Closing the Digital Divide
Today, the U.S. House of Representatives holds an important hearing to discuss the challenges and benefits of rolling out broadband to rural regions across the country in order to reach communities that are currently affected by the digital divide. We applaud members of the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology for opening up a dialogue that brings to the table innovative broadband solutions and approaches to connect more Americans. As we have seen, high-speed and reliable connectivity is the key to improving a community's economic vitality, education, healthcare, and growth, and rural