Setting the Record Straight: How the National Broadband Plan Bridges the Rural Divide

America faces a "rural-rural divide" — certain rural carriers aren't receiving funds to subsidize broadband service from the Universal Service system — according to an op-ed written by Blair Levin of the Aspen Institute.

Levin was responding to an op-ed published in early November by Dave Duncan of the Iowa Telecommunications Association, who wrote that the National Broadband Plan would create a "rural-urban divide" in Iowa.

As Levin points out, the problem isn't an urban-rural divide at all, but rather a rural-rural divide — the majority of the money collected by the Universal Service System only supports a fraction of the lines available in rural areas. While some rural areas are well-served, there are still millions of Americans who have no broadband service at all.

In addition to leaving 24 million Americans with no broadband service, America has 93 million people who have access, but do not subscribe to the Internet. Adoption rates are lower in rural areas, for lower-income people, people of color, seniors, and people with disabilities. This means that these groups are left behind from modern education, health care, job searching, and numerous other aspects of an increasingly web-based economy.

The reality is clear: it is time to reform the universal service system to ensure access to quality, affordable high-speed connections for all Americans, rural and urban alike.

Broadband: Rural-rural divide is the real problem (Des Moines Register)

Speed Matters Economist Ken Peres Discusses Broadband Adoption and Availability (Speed Matters)

Rural America at a Disadvantage Without Broadband (Speed Matters)