There is much effort being put into closing the digital divide around the world. Governments recognize the importance of broadband connectivity for sustaining communities, not to mention the socio-economic benefits that it brings. But even in nations with the most advanced broadband networks, there is still work to do, especially in bridging the gap between urban and rural connectivity.
In the U.S., a Pew Research study found that almost 30% of rural Americans do not have a broadband internet connection at home. In Europe, the European Commission’s Digital Divide report estimates only 18% of citizens in rural areas have broadband of 30 Mb/s, which is barely adequate for modern digital living standards.
