High quality Internet access is sorely lacking in many rural regions across America. However, few have taken notice or appreciated the fiber optic networks expanding rapidly across rural America in a fiscally responsible manner by locally owned co-ops.
For decades rural communities have solved their infrastructure dilemmas by creating utility cooperatives. In the 1930s, member-owned electric co-ops developed by farmers borrowed money from the federal government to construct an electrical grid across America, in spite of difficult challenges. Years later, these same people faced another challenge when creating telephone cooperatives.
Today, utility cooperatives once again should be the foundation for connecting rural America with high quality internet service, because they have the infrastructure and because quality internet has become a basic utility, requiring equal access for all.
Dial-up, DSL and satellite internet access are unreliable and much too slow. To support and improve their local economies, educate their populations and enrich their quality of life, rural communities need fiber optic broadband. Cooperatives have flown under the radar, quietly demonstrating that they can build FTTP networks. Rural internet access can improve health care and education. Veterans and the elderly can receive telehealth services and stay in their homes longer, reducing the cost of medical care.
A mere 2% of urban Americans lack access to broadband service, compared to 26% of rural Americans. It’s time to close the digital divide with the help of our local co-op.
Let La Plata Electric Association (LPEA) know you want them to provide us with LPEA fiber optic broadband.
Deborah ShislerDurango
