U.S. Rep. Mary Miller (R-Oakland) | Facebook
U.S. Rep. Mary Miller (R-Oakland) | Facebook
U.S. Rep. Mary Miller (R-Oakland) stressed the importance of reliable broadband in her recent article published in The Washington Times.
“The pandemic has highlighted the critical issue of demand and access for high-speed internet,” Miller wrote. “For example, access to health care in rural areas can be a challenge, which urban dwellers cannot understand.
“It can be dangerously far away,” she continued. “With broadband, telemedicine can offer online doctor video calls and other necessary health care.”
The digital divide, according to Miller, is one of the biggest issues in the country and her district is no exception.
“Illinois’ 15th District is 52% rural and its farming industry generates more than $19 billion annually,” she wrote. “As the agricultural industry continues to become more technologically sophisticated, reliable connectivity is essential.”
Miller also highlighted how connectivity is equally vital to education, especially during this unprecedented time.
“It has been reported to me from families and schools throughout my district that up to 30% of faculty and students do not have access to reliable connectivity,” Miller wrote.
Miller looks forward to seeing everything return to what it was before the pandemic hit, but challenges will still remain.
“Broadband availability in rural areas continues to be a major topic of concern,” she wrote. “Schools, families, businesses and the agricultural economy depend on it. Bridging the digital divide requires all hands on deck. I am committed to promoting public-private partnerships to work together to provide rural broadband.”
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