The Economic Benefits of Mobile Broadband - 0 views
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simonmart on 18 May 12Broadband internet access in general, and mobile broadband in particular, are becoming increasingly important to national economies and the personal lives of users. In the US alone there were about 84.4 million mobile broadband connections at the beginning of 2011, virtually the same as the number of fixed broadband connection (FCC 2011, Table 1). Nevertheless, as with nearly all new technology, broadband availability and adoption are not diffusing as quickly in rural areas or among certain minority groups. This article presents an up to date view of the rural and minority digital divide based on latest statistics, showing that significant divides in both availability and usage persist. The potential for mobile broadband to be an engine of growth for rural economic development is then examined. Mobile broadband also holds significant potential for urban areas as well, given the importance of broadband, particularly mobile broadband, for urban minority communities.