America's Improving Broadband Connectivity
In contrast to the rapid 5G spread in Urban, Rural America's 4G Coverage and Speed Issues need solutions
As one would expect, 4 in 5 Americans reside in large metros such as New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Dallas-Fort Worth classified as Urban areas by the US Census.
97% of the U.S. land area is classified rural (that’s US Census 2016 data, the latest data reclassifies some previously urban areas to rural to better protect privacy. See No 6 n the section below).
1 in 5 Americans live in rural areas where mobile signals are not ubiquitous.
For these 60 million people — 19.3% of the population — who live in rural regions, getting a mobile signal is not always a given. However, not all rural areas are equal for mobile experience. In fact, distance to urban areas is a key factor determining the experience rural users will have.
For example, as one would expect the areas around metros have adequate speed and coverage:
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA. ...
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA. ...
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI. ...
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX. ...
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX. ...
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
And many more…
But go further away and this picture emerges:
About 60 Million people live in Rural America, that is 19.3% of the population.
Rural Network Coverage
Estimated 4G LTE availability, speed and latency (delays) in Percentage
Emerging Coverage Options
AT&T has demonstrated two designs that can provide mobile coverage where its not available, or if its lost as in the case of a natural disaster. Both designs leverage a standard geosynchronous satellite backhaul connection (new models with LEO—low earth orbit—satellites are in the works), which allows them to connect with the existing cellular network. The smaller of the two designs, which the company calls a Compact Rapid Deployable (CRD), fits on a mobile cart that not only works outside but can also fit through doors and onto elevators so that it can be moved inside as well.
Despite its compact size, it [the smaller design] can create a standalone 4G LTE network with about a 2-mile range that supports up to 50 users.
The larger design, referred to as a SatCoLT (short for Satellite Cellular on Light Truck), is essentially built onto a self-sufficient small truck.
This [the larger design] supports over 100 users across a roughly 3-mile range.
AT&T has a small fleet of each type deployed around the US, with an emphasis on areas that have a history of weather-related challenges, but also spread out such that virtually any spot in the continental US is no more than about a 6-hour drive away.
In addition to equipment, the company has a dedicated team of workers to maintain, manage, and deploy it all. Interestingly, they also leverage a large group of trained volunteers who are willing to help out in the case of an emergency. AT&T representatives explained that the company often is able to recruit volunteers in areas where they’ve previously done some of these deployments—a noble and noteworthy example of people wanting to give back.
The challenge
The challenge however is that these are expensive solutions. While they may be suitable for natural disasters knocking off mobile towers, they will not easily scale to rural populations. AT&T has been experimenting raising local money from communities who pay 1/3rd of the upfront cost, with the company footing the rest. Funds such as American Rescue Plan and funding from the FirstNet network to extend 911 emergency services can also be used for regular cellular traffic. The stakes are high.
Counties who know how to leverage these resources will get better, counties that do not, risk getting left behind with no Internet at all.
SOURCES:
Mobile Experience in Rural USA - An Operator Comparison | OpenSignal
Rural-Urban Divide in Network Coverage | Statista
For differences beyond just internet and mobile coverage, this is a good place to start:
New Census Data Show Differences Between Urban and Rural Populations | US Census
How is Rural defined in the first place? | US Census
US Census now defines Rural based on households or housing units instead of number of people to protect privacy of small communities | US News
What is Rural America? | US Census
AT&T bags $182M contract to upgrade USAID’s network | Fierce Wireless
AT&T’s Journey To Bridge The Digital Divide| Forbes
AT&T Demonstrates Network Disaster Recovery Preparedness| Forbes