Maps Show Which Americans Have Broadband Access and Which Don't

In keeping with the changing demands of the economy, the Federal Communications Commission is considering revamping the existing Lifeline program to help the poor log into the majority of society -- which is online. The plan goes to a vote on June 18 and if approved, the process to restructure the program to include a broadband subsidy will get underway. The agency releases data about broadband access annually and recently began representing it visually. A new map from the FCC highlights one of the major disparities in broadband access is between urban and rural areas.

Arizona and Alaska have the largest geographical gap in broadband access, with more than a 7 percent difference between urban and rural users with access to high speed Internet. Trailing Arizona and Alaska, with a difference between 4 percent and 7 percent is Montana, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico and the sole Northeast state with such a disparity -- Vermont. The entire West Coast has a gap between 2 percent and 4 percent. Of America’s rural population, 53 percent (22 million people) lack access to high speed Internet, compared to only 8 percent of urban Americans. Rural populations continue to be underserved at all speeds, the FCC reported in March, and tribal lands are even further behind, with 63 percent of residents (2.5 million people) unable to get online.