High Speed Internet in Rural Areas
For those of us in rural areas, technology often seems out of reach. DSL and cable internet are not widespread enough, and too often we have to depend on very slow, unreliable dial-up connections. Satellite Internet in my area seems to be the only solution, or we will continue to lag behind our counterparts in the city indefinitely.
One reason for this inequality between city and country options for internet is logistical. While it would be possible to get DSL service to rural areas, it would take quite a bit of copper wire out there. Copper wire is the way DSL service is transmitted. Rural areas often have older technology, and copper wire does represent a newer technological norm.
Like the copper wire conundrum, cable-based technology presents problems for rural dwellers. Since cable is a comparatively new phenomenon, it is much less viable in rural areas. Cable also requires more cable stations for transmission of cable signals. These are few and far between in rural areas.
DSL and cable companies are loathe to spend the money necessary for rural services. It costs a pretty penny to install copper wire; it also costs money to set up the infrastructure necessary for cable networks. These kinds of services represent a big expense without an immediately visible payoff. There are, of course, fewer people in these rural areas, and fewer potential buyers of cable and DSL internet services.
Perhaps these options will become more and more readily available for those of us who choose to live far from the city.