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* USA Today…
In about half of Illinois’s counties — 52 of 102 — measured by a Federal Communications Commission study, broadband access is available to at least 74% of residents. Yet in about half of the state measured by Microsoft — 52 of 102 counties — no more than 24% of households actually have high-speed access, a USA TODAY analysis shows. […]
The proportions of Illinois households that have high speed access varies widely: In Calhoun County, it’s just 2%; in Alexander County, it’s 3%; and in Pulaski County, it’s 6%. Leading the state are DuPage County with 80%, Lake County with 63% and Kendall County with 61%. […]
Among Illinois’s wealthiest counties: 61% of Kendall County has access, 80% of DuPage County has access and 63% of Lake County has access. Among the least-wealthiest counties, access rates are 6% in Pulaski County, 3% in Alexander County and 27% in Jackson County.
An interactive map is here.
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Jul 8, 21 @ 9:57 am
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How to respond & to what degree this is a problem varies. Per the interactive map, in Peoria County, 39% have, 94% could have. For 6% its geography denying access, for 55% its choice as to whether to do so with their money (in some cases poverty, in others not).
Comment by Blake Thursday, Jul 8, 21 @ 10:06 am
Having access to and actually having access once you get it are both problems. It would be so nice not to have to deal with datacaps and worry that you’ll reach your monthly limit mid-month because of updates or just through working/schooling at home. The plan I have involves a hotspot and a limit of 30 G of high speed data a month for $70. The divide is great and needs to be bridged. https://www.highspeedinternet.com/resources/which-internet-service-providers-have-data-caps
Comment by Anon221 Thursday, Jul 8, 21 @ 10:23 am
There is broadband and then useful and accessible broadband. We are in very rural Sangamon county and subscribe to a wireless connection (1MB up and 5MB down, the best they offer) that relies on line-of-sight access to an antenna on the top of the nearest water tower. When service is bad, we have been told—and I quote—“The corn is too tall.” Satellite is the only other option and it’s too expensive.
Comment by Sangamo Girl Thursday, Jul 8, 21 @ 10:24 am
The issue in low-population density areas is that no provider is going to spend millions to set up the infrastructure to service too few customers to even cover the cost. Some form of wireless broadband is far more cost-efficient to support in these areas, and would stretch the State’s budget supporting universal access. I’m in the south suburbs of Chicago, and have cellular-based 4G internet through a low-income/nonprofit service broker, instead of paying the ever-increasing landline-based pricing. Speeds are normally between 10Mbps and 30Mbps, (18Mbps just tested, with 6.4Mbps upload, 38 second ping time) with few weather-related issues if any.
Comment by thisjustinagain Thursday, Jul 8, 21 @ 10:29 am
Sorry, I forgot to put the organization’s name with the discount wireless internet and computers for sale. It’s PCs for People:
https://www.pcsforpeople.org/
Comment by thisjustinagain Thursday, Jul 8, 21 @ 10:31 am
Broadband companies pay some of the best dividends on Wall Street. Incredible how much money they make. Dereg has been very good to them.
Comment by Sad Thursday, Jul 8, 21 @ 10:39 am
If broadband internet is the 21st version of electricity as a public good, then some version of universal coverage a la rural electric co-ops and/or municipal power will be necessary.
Comment by VerySmallRocks Thursday, Jul 8, 21 @ 10:43 am
Other things that can interfere with line-of-sight internet are large scale wind projects. Those turbine heights and 360 rotor sweeps can be worse than any “corn”, and have more of an affect on rural areas that really need internet access.
Comment by Anon221 Thursday, Jul 8, 21 @ 10:43 am
Google Starlink
Comment by Lucky than Good Thursday, Jul 8, 21 @ 10:48 am
Satellite may be the only option you could sign up for today, but it’s not the only option. Cellular, TV Whitespace, and other radio technologies could all be used.
TV whitespace has a cell size of several miles and does not require Line of Sight.
https://news.microsoft.com/on-the-issues/2019/06/25/airband-white-space/
Comment by Odysseus Thursday, Jul 8, 21 @ 11:48 am
Starlink has is own set of problems and if you live in a rural areas but around some homes or with tall trees you are going to run into service problems.
Comment by Cool Papa Bell Thursday, Jul 8, 21 @ 11:52 am
I live in the woods, down in a hollow by a creek. (central IL) No cell towers face toward my place. We need a WeBoost so the cell phone will ring in the house. Internet is slow and sketchy, but I have worked from home for over a year. It can be frustrating some days, like humid or rainy days. Frontier said they would not bring the line the extra 2000 feet to our house. It’s our dream home, so we deal with it.
Comment by Dog Lover Thursday, Jul 8, 21 @ 12:20 pm
“Dereg has been very good to them.” I didn’t think they were considered common carriers so weren’t regulated like the telecoms.
Comment by Skeptic Thursday, Jul 8, 21 @ 1:45 pm
Broadband Internet access isn’t a necessity, but it’s pretty close in many cases. You know, like applying for jobs, working remotely, having access to cultural entertainment, having access to information, etc.
The infrastructure bill in Congress includes funding to expand broadband access to those in poorly-served areas, and this is desperately needed. I hope that provision gets passed one way or another.
Comment by Techie Thursday, Jul 8, 21 @ 3:20 pm
Quick access to the Parlor app isn’t a big public need…just sayin.
Comment by PublicServant Thursday, Jul 8, 21 @ 4:01 pm
You may want to look into the FCC’s Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) program.
Comment by Wiseguy Thursday, Jul 8, 21 @ 4:48 pm
The federal definition of broadband is misleading. The fed standard is 25mb down and 3 mb up. Probably fine for watching Netflix, but not great for working. It’s nearly a decade old as a standard if not longer.
There are options besides the current providers who do everything they can to invest as little as possible, but then block any assistance for increased speeds even if they won’t offer it. Co-ops and other types of providers can make the return on investment longer than publicly traded companies and provide service to areas that large providers have ignored or even actively blocked.
Manchin is actually pretty smart on this issue and wants to create a series of Co-Ops to go around the incumbents and actually get decent speeds to rural areas.
Comment by ArchPundit Thursday, Jul 8, 21 @ 7:12 pm
== Quick access to the Parlor app isn’t a big public need…just sayin.==
Quick access to job applications is though.
Comment by Da Big Bad Wolf Friday, Jul 9, 21 @ 6:34 am