Uncovering Rural America's Internet Reality
The Telehealth Broadband Pilot partnered with communities in Alaska, Michigan, Texas, and West Virginia to gather data on rural broadband access and its impact on healthcare, education, and daily life.
Uncovering Rural Connectivity Challenges
The Telehealth Broadband Pilot partnered with local leaders to understand connectivity issues, using community engagement and monitoring tools to identify broadband gaps, inform telehealth policy, and support infrastructure improvements.
Identifying the Real Barriers to Rural Broadband Access
Our evaluation sheds light on the true complexities of rural internet access, where factors like technical knowledge, device setup, and infrastructure quality often outweigh ISP (Internet Service Provider) speed alone.
The Reality in the Field
Real experiences shared by our Community Lead Partners reveal the impact of connectivity challenges in rural communities.
Connectivity Challenges Undermining Rural Healthcare in Michigan
Broadband issues at Northwest Michigan Health Services clinics highlight the vital role of reliable internet for telehealth, medical records, and patient care, emphasizing the need for systemic improvements.
Breaking Barriers to Treatment in Rural West Virginia
Connectivity issues in rural West Virginia disrupt operations and virtual treatment at the Jefferson Day Report Center, underscoring the need for reliable broadband to support rural services.
Connecting Alaska's Remote Communities
In Alaska's remote villages, unreliable broadband and lack of IT support create critical challenges for telehealth and essential services, highlighting the need for targeted solutions in isolated communities.
Texas Tackles Rural Connectivity Challenges
In rural Texas, inconsistent broadband access limits telehealth services, with residents and healthcare providers struggling to meet connectivity standards.
Practical Solutions for Empowering Rural Communities
Simple Fixes Create Big Changes
Replace outdated hardware, like old modems and routers, to dramatically improve internet speeds and reliability without needing major infrastructure upgrades.
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Education and Awareness
Many people were unaware of better internet options. Education is key—knowing available services and access methods makes a big difference.
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Empower local leaders with accurate, real-time data to identify gaps and advocate for tailored connectivity solutions.
Learn more Communication with ISPs and IT
Teach community members to effectively report issues to ISPs or IT teams, ensuring problems are understood and addressed.
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Tools to Help the Communities
We've created a suite of tools to help communities understand their broadband experience and take actionable steps toward improving it.