Broadband Signals Silent in Many Neighborhoods

A researcher at the Mississippi State University Southern Rural Development Center has released a study showing one in four Mississippians do not have access to any high speed Internet connections in their communities.

But many in Mississippi -- particularly businesses -- understand the importance of this technology. Carol Hardwick, executive director of the Mississippi Economic Development Council said,

Currently there are some efforts underway to bridge the digital divide and expand high speed Internet access to rural Mississippi -- such as the Mississippi Economic Growth Alliance Point of Presence (MEGAPOP). This coalition of businesses, government officials, and university presidents is working on last-mile high speed connections and making progress on getting rural areas connected.

But as the Mississippi State research shows, there's a long way to go before all Mississippians can access crucial high speed Internet connections.

Mississippi State University Southern Rural Development Center

Broadband Penetration at a Crawl in Many Communities (redOrbit)

Mississippi Economic Development Council

Mississippi Economic Growth Alliance Point of Presence

Going the last mile for rural Mississippi (Speed Matters)