Tuesday, May 10 2011 5:02PM
Slow broadband may be a hindrance to businesses in some rural communities.
The slow broadband service in Wyoming may be negatively impacting rural economic development in the area, according to the Wyoming News Service.
The source says that broadband speeds in the state are excessively slow, with 65 percent of the communities in the state experiencing speeds below the Federal Communications Commission's minimum standard.
Though the Internet may seem like a luxury for some, in the current market it may be a necessity for rural businesses to keep up with competitors. Dr. Sharon Strover of the University of Texas told the source that not having sufficient Internet access can make simple things, like ordering a part, difficult to accomplish.
The concern, however, is not for the benefits of having improved Internet access, but the consequences of continuing to experience access below the national standards, particularly for Wyoming, which ranks 49th in the nation for Internet speeds.
According to the results of a report by the Center for Rural Strategies, many rural places other than Wyoming are also struggling due to limited broadband access. States mentioned included Nevada and Oregon.