Rural America Pays Over $53K For High Speed Internet: Report

Nebraska’s Winnebago Tribe, long plagued by sluggish internet, is set to receive a high-speed upgrade thanks to a federal initiative. However, the average fiber-optic connection cost of $53,000 per household or workplace connection has raised eyebrows, the Wall Street Journal revealed in an exclusive.

These costs surpass the assessed value of some homes receiving hookups, prompting concerns about the expense of delivering city-grade internet to remote U.S. regions.

Blair Levin, a former senior communications policy official, questioned the spending, arguing that the funds might be better utilized to connect more families. The U.S. has already allotted over $60 billion to the “Internet for All” program, designed to bring high-speed internet to rural areas.

While fiber-optic cabling is the industry standard, alternative options like satellite service are less costly but also less dependable. State and federal officials have been tasked with determining spending limits in hard-to-reach areas.

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In Montana, Misty Ann Giles, director of the state's Department of Administration, warned that connecting some remote locales could cost over $300,000 per connection, potentially draining state funds.

However, Alan Davidson, an assistant secretary of commerce overseeing broadband programs, defended the initiative, stating that the infrastructure being built would yield significant benefits in the long run.

The high-speed internet connection is seen by the Winnebago Tribe as a tool to spur economic development and retain young residents on the reservation.

Sunshine Thomas-Bear, the tribe's historic preservation officer, emphasized the tribe’s need for reliable internet service, asserting their right to the same service quality as city residents.

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