https://medium.com/@jeremy.l.strickland/recommendations-to-address-the-digital-divide-in-the-u-s-835970791f89 > Broadband internet access in rural and urban areas is fundamentally unequal. According to the FCC’s 2016 Broadband Progress Report, 39% of rural areas, compared to only 4% of urban areas, lack adequate broadband internet access. This inequality prevents rural areas from fully participating in the digital economy, rural students from utilizing online educational tools, and rural residents from accessing online government services. > To address this significant challenge, the Federal Communications Commission created the Connect America Fund (CAF) — a program that incentivizes internet service providers to build broadband infrastructure in rural areas. However, due to limited funding, the CAF cannot meet the current and ongoing infrastructure demands from rural areas. Rural areas will continue to suffer from a lack of adequate broadband access and poor internet connectivity speeds as residents seek inferior alternatives, such as dial-up and 3G/4G mobile networks.