A Small State's Approach to Broadband Access in Rural South County

State broadband officials say a multi-year infrastructure push has nearly closed remaining coverage gaps in South County, historically the region with the most limited high-speed internet access due to lower housing density and longer distances between service points.

The effort combined state and federal infrastructure funding with private internet provider investment, prioritizing areas identified in earlier mapping studies as unserved or underserved. Officials describe the remaining gap as limited to a small number of the most rural properties.

Closing the Last Gap

Officials caution that the final stretch of unserved properties is often the most expensive to reach, given the cost of extending lines to low-density areas, and say completion timelines for the last remaining connections may extend into next year.

Local residents in previously unserved areas describe the improved access as significant for remote work and school use, particularly during winter months when travel to alternative connectivity points is harder.