A school bus outfitted with a mobile hotspot unit
Florida lawmakers are continuing a years-long effort to improve internet access in rural areas. The issue again caught lawmakers attention last year when schools and businesses were shuttered, forcing people inside and online. The problem: tens of thousands had no or very little access to broadband services needed for them to go to school, apply for unemployment benefits or see their doctors through telehealth.
The federal government has noted the internet is no longer a luxury, it’s an essential service—just like basic utilities. According to a legislative bill analysis, only 78.6% of rural areas of the state have access to broadband services, compared to 98% coverage in urban areas. And the quality of that access differs substantially as well..