People nationwide depend on the Internet to go to work or school, maintain their health, and take care of loved ones. For residents of rural, Tribal, and other underserved areas, however, smooth, speedy access to the Internet isn’t always a given.
In the northeast corner of Washington state, Washington State University Extension is leading a collaborative effort to reveal gaps in broadband availability in underserved areas, in hopes of providing more access, affordability, and use. Efforts by the Stevens County-Spokane Tribe Broadband Action Team (BAT) are now drawing the interest of Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai.
On Thursday, June 11, Pai joined 5th District U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers in a virtual meeting with local Broadband Action Team members. Team leader and WSU Stevens County Extension Director Debra Hansen, Stevens County Commissioner Wes McCart, Colville School District Superintendent Pete Lewis, other BAT members, and Washington State Broadband Office Director Russ Elliott shared grassroots efforts to survey broadband access in their largely rural communities.
“High-speed Internet is a lifeline for residents in rural communities, especially in the era of COVID-19,” Hansen said. “But rural areas are often lacking in connectivity, for a variety of reasons—dispersed populations, rugged terrain, harsh weather, and poverty and unemployment.”
