They found that while some communities must still pay long-distance charges to dial their Internet service providers, this problem is slowly receding as more service providers set up shop in rural areas and as local calling areas are expanded. The researchers also found that many rural educators and community leaders lacked training and professional development opportunities to learn about new technologies and integrate them into their ongoing operations and curricula.
Community networks are one of the most constructive ways to bring access to rural areas.
In addition to bringing the power of advanced telecommunications to underserved areas, community networks bind the people of a rural area together and allow them to communicate easily with one another. We are pleased to see that the Joint Federal-State Board on Universal Service recommended implementation of discounts for schools and libraries in such a way that the discounts allow for, and even encourage, community networks. We re also pleased to see that the growth of community networks is being encouraged at the state level. Establish a policy that expands dialing areas. By expanding the local dialing area for rural communities, state public utility commissions dramatically increase the likelihood that an Internet service provider will be available to a rural resident.