Ensure fair and reliable internet service is provided to all rural areas.

In many rural areas there is only one choice for an internet service provider. These providers have old phone lines that cannot support internet speeds higher than 5MBs. These providers still charge their customers for speeds that their lines cannot support. These providers refuse to upgrade these lines in favor of upgrading lines in higher density population areas that already have faster speeds and more options available to them for internet connectivity. Those of us with only one option for internet connectivity are left paying for broadband internet, that does not meet the FCC standards for minimum broadband speeds and footing the bill for upgrading services to other people who do not need an upgrade.

Yes, satellite services are available, but they have data limits, and they have high latency that makes communication, streaming, and gaming difficult or impossible. Weather also strongly affects their reliability. Broadband internet provided over cable or fiber lines is much more reliable provided the ISP’s actually invest in a quality infrastructure for these systems.

In the time of pandemics and online schooling, work, and communication we need to have better internet access. We need to be able to work from home, communicate with friends and loved ones. We need to be able to have access to education, entertainment, and information. We also need to create more jobs and rebuild our infrastructure. We need to increase our ability to communicate and share information.

We need to demand that internet service providers upgrade their ageing and outdated systems and lines to supply everyone in rural areas with faster internet access. They should also be charging a fair price for the speeds provided. Many of us are paying close to the same price for 5MBs speeds as others pay for 900MBs speeds offered by the same provider. This is unethical unfair and needs to end. Demand that internet service providers upgrade their services and practices NOW! We need to contact our government officials and make them look into these issues and address them. Internet access is a necessity and should be available to all.