Late last month, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced plans to add $600 million to fund e-Connectivity, a pilot program aimed at bridging the rural digital divide by improving broadband internet access for American farmers. But the rural digital divide is wider than ever, as ag businesses struggle to run tech-dependent businesses without broadband, reports Forbes.
According to a 2016 Federal Communications Commission (FCC) report, 39% of rural Americans don’t have broadband internet access, but that number is almost certainly inaccurate, with even fewer areas actually being served.
In today’s agricultural operations, almost all aspects are enhanced by technology, and spotty or limited internet coverage can be a costly problem.
Read the full report here.
