Broadband access, citizen enfranchisement, and telecommunications services in rural and remote areas: a report from the american frontier [Topics in Wireless Communications]

By some measures, access to electronic media in rural areas of the United States is on par with the rest of the nation. Statewide data for Montana regarding high-speed Internet penetration is comparable to the national penetration level, and Montana's citizens have other means of information access including wireless hot spots, schools and libraries equipped with Internet and municipal websites. However, statewide averages are misleading. The data presented here are specific to Montana and the United States, but the challenges are global, and the investigation and conclusions should be of general interest to those engaged in designing telecommunications infrastructure and delivering services. A more careful examination of the data, using countywide and local information where available, reveals several significant patterns and gaps. Montana's more metropolitan areas are experiencing significant population and economic growth, and much of the growth in information access and online services is centered in these areas. The rural and remote regions of the state are underserved and falling behind. Online services in Montana are uneven. While about two thirds of the counties have websites, the local services offered in the rural areas are not comparable to those available in the metro areas, and well behind national levels. Services that would offer alternatives to costly travel, such as streaming video, document retrieval, filings, and registrations are available in Montana on an extremely limited basis. With energy and travel costs rising, expanded e-government services could be a valuable investment. Policy changes and strategies to stimulate infrastructure investments, following a more in-depth examination of coverage and service inequities, could have a significant impact on closing the gaps.