Wiring Rural America: Which Technology Is Best?

Government agencies are now considering the costs of providing high-speed Internet access to rural areas and which technologies might be the most cost-effective. Service providers are expected to propose a range of schemes to deliver high-speed Internet through both existing infrastructure -- such as telephone lines, cable-TV networks, or electric power lines -- and through the installation of new fiber-optic cables going directly to residences, new wireless networks, or by using satellites. While the Federal Communications Commission has remained neutral on which technology is best for rural markets, it did say in a May report on rural broadband that it needed to be cost-effective to install, provide consistent performance at an affordable price, and be able to upgrade to higher speeds over time.