Opinion: We need the entire toolbox to connect rural communities

Written By: Christine Hamp

Recently, lawmakers on the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology discussed the importance of connecting rural Americans with reliable, high-speed broadband. The committee discussed the role that varied broadband technologies must play in bridging the digital divide, especially regarding rural communities. 

The Grange believes it is a moral imperative to bridge the digital divide and unlock the modern-day health, educational and economic benefits of high-speed broadband for rural Americans. We do not prefer any one connectivity technology over another because we know this will take every tool in our tool belt. That’s why we are excited about technologies such as low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, which hold huge promise for ensuring that the last mile of country road gets connected. 

Approximately 63 million Americans live in our nation’s rural areas. Since 1867, the Grange has been working to support them, particularly the farmers and farm families that feed our nation. Today, rural America is facing a unique set of pressing challenges. One is a persistent lack of modern connectivity. Even in 2025, many rural areas are still badly underserved or completely unserved by affordable, reliable broadband.