Rural Telecommunications

Telecommunications experts and scholars talked about access to high-speed data networks in rural communities. Hanns Kuttner began the discussion with a slide presentation of his study, “Broadband for Rural America: Economic Impacts and Economic Opportunities.” Afterward, the panelists in their reaction to the study agreed that rural areas were likely to fall behind the rest of the country unless significant changes in government policy were made. Larry Thompson, an engineer and consultant, said that rural customers would be forced to pay more for broadband unless there was an effort similar to the depression-era program that extended telephone service to most of the country. They discussed the economic implications of a lack of broadband service. The panelists also responded to questions from members of the audience at the Hudson Institute. This joint economic summit on “The Future of Rural Telecommunications” was co-sponsored by the Foundation for Rural Service. close