Impact

Precision Agriculture

Farmers and ranchers depend on broadband just as they do highways, railways, and waterways to move food, fuel, and fiber across the country and around the world. Many of the latest yield-maximizing farming techniques require broadband connections for data collection and analysis both on the farm and in remote data centers.

America’s farmers and ranchers embrace technologies that make their operations more efficient, economical, and environmentally friendly. Precision agriculture tools help guide decisions on fertilizer, water, herbicides, pesticides, and overall field management.

Broadband connectivity helps producers achieve optimal yield, lower environmental impact, maximize profits, follow commodity markets, communicate with customers, reach new markets, and manage increasing regulatory requirements.

Why Speed Matters

Broadband speed matters because it allows for faster transmission of data, including text, images, sound, video, files, and interactive applications.

The FCC has defined basic broadband as at least 25 Mbps downstream and 3 Mbps upstream. Higher speeds support modern internet use more effectively than older, slower connection types such as dial-up.

Broadband is accessed through a variety of high-speed transmission technologies that allow data to move faster and support more demanding services at home, in schools, and across businesses.

Benefits of Rural Broadband

• Economic development and business growth
• Improved government services and transparency
• Expanded education access and distance learning
• Health care access through telemedicine and connected care
• Stronger public safety communication systems
• Environmental sustainability through smart systems
• Telework and flexible employment opportunities
• Accessibility support for people with disabilities
• Modern entertainment and social connectivity

Entertainment and Rural Older Adults

Broadband is essential to modern entertainment, including streaming video, online gaming, and staying connected through social media and digital communication tools.

Older adults also use technology to remain in their homes longer. However, many feel technology is not designed with them in mind, citing poor user experience, insufficient training materials, and complexity of offerings.

Age-inclusive technology design and digital training are essential to ensuring older adults are not left behind in the digital age.

Affordable Service

In some areas, the challenge is not recognizing the value of broadband but finding service that is affordable. The inability to afford internet service remains one of the most common and pervasive barriers to broadband adoption.

Many areas offer discounted or low-cost internet plans for qualifying low-income households, but these programs are often not well advertised and therefore underused.

Low-Cost Offer

The Affordable Connectivity Program has provided qualified low-income households with discounts on monthly internet service and assistance toward the purchase of eligible devices through participating internet providers.

Digital Literacy

Digital literacy is the ability to use information and communication technologies to find, evaluate, create, and communicate information, requiring both cognitive and technical skills.

As people develop these skills, technology becomes more valuable in everyday life, increasing the perceived relevance of computers, devices, and internet access.

• Find, understand, evaluate, create, and communicate digital information
• Use diverse technologies effectively and appropriately
• Understand privacy, lifelong learning, and stewardship of information
• Communicate and collaborate with peers, colleagues, family, and community
• Participate more actively in civic life and community engagement

Homework Gap

The homework gap is the gulf between students and families who have access to computers and the internet and those who do not. It affects a student’s ability to complete homework, succeed academically, build career foundations, and access economic opportunity.

The problem is especially severe for low-income families, minority communities, and rural areas, including the Alabama Black Belt. Closing the homework gap in Alabama remains a major priority.

Telehealth

Health care services are becoming increasingly digitized, and many services are already delivered online. As that trend increases, health care can become more efficient, less expensive, and more effective.

Without digital equity, however, those positive outcomes will not be fully realized, leaving communities without adequate access to digital technologies at an even greater disadvantage.

Closing the Digital Divide

The digital divide is a significant challenge, but it can be addressed through digital inclusion policies, programs, and tools that include:

• Affordable, robust broadband internet service
• Internet-enabled devices that meet the needs of the user
• Access to digital literacy training
• Quality technical support
• Online applications and content designed for participation and self-sufficiency

Digital Equity, Inclusion, and Adoption

Digital equity means all individuals and communities have the information technology capacity needed for full participation in society, democracy, and the economy.

Digital inclusion refers to the activities needed to ensure all individuals and communities, especially the most disadvantaged, have access to and use of information and communication technologies.

Broadband adoption occurs when households subscribe to internet service at home. Adoption is shaped by affordability, device access, digital literacy, and whether people see the internet as relevant to their lives.