How many things have you done using your internet today?

If you’re on your phone reading this article, that counts as one. Catching up with friends, checking social media, sending email, streaming Netflix; the list goes on.

The point is, internet use has become intertwined with our every day lives. But for 141 million Americans, it’s not. And it’s not by choice.

Since so many of us have been stuck home because of the coronavirus, internet has gone from a nice accessory to a close necessity as so many parts of our lives have moved almost exclusively online. It has highlighted the struggle those 141 million Americans face.

There are two major issues facing Americans when it comes to broadband accessibility. The first is location. In many rural parts of the country, building a broadband system can prove to be difficult. Part of that is topography, such as in mountainous regions, another is profitability, as it is not prudent for cable companies to invest money to build the network for small cities and neighborhoods where they might not generate much revenue.

The second, and more widespread issue, is affordability, as three times as many urban Americans don’t have broadband access compared to rural Americans.

More at Scripps Media.