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Hundreds of thousands still lack high-speed internet access in Maryland

August 8th, 2020 by WCBC Radio

Hundreds of thousands of people in Maryland do not have access to high-speed internet.  The Baltimore Sun reported Friday that the long-standing problem has become more acute as school and work move online during the coronavirus pandemic. A 2019 report from a state task force estimated that 324,000 rural Marylanders lack access to high-speed internet. An estimate from the Abell Foundation shows that more than 40% of Baltimore’s households lack access. There are government and private programs that are trying to connect residents to broadband. But some worry service won’t come soon enough because of a lack of funding and various bureaucratic hurdles.

12 Responses to “Hundreds of thousands still lack high-speed internet access in Maryland”

  1. August 08, 2020 at 6:22 am, Ron said:

    And where there is access a lot of people can’t afford it. I believe there are still areas in our county with no cell service

    Reply

    • August 08, 2020 at 9:49 am, mac said:

      > I can guarantee you that there are areas in this county without cell service. It’s been this way for years and the wireless companies have no intention of building out their service. There isn’t enough profit in doing so.

      Reply

  2. August 08, 2020 at 10:28 am, DAVE said:

    What an opportunity for an entrepreneur, or if you prefer a philanthropist to start up a company to provide this service. The only problem is a philanthropist had to make their money through EVIL capitalism or an entrepreneur has to turn a profit to stay in business which some say s EVIL in it’s self. The truth is it you don’t make money you can’t stay in business. Now you could say the GOVERNMENT should do it! But that would require more taxes, which we will tax the evil rich. But most politicians are the evil rich and do you think they will increase their own taxes? The only group that can provide a service at a loss is the federal government and they do it by increasing the debt or printing money which passes the loss on to the poor and middle class. Life is not as simple as a lot of people think.

    Reply

  3. August 08, 2020 at 11:45 am, Bob said:

    If we consider the overall hierarchy of backwardness, a few spots without HSI and or cell service are the least of our concerns.

    Reply

    • August 08, 2020 at 12:58 pm, mac said:

      > That’s a very easy thing for you to say unless you are the one without HSI or cell service.

      Reply

  4. August 08, 2020 at 1:12 pm, Ron said:

    According to the white house we are currently involved in 7 conflicts. Granted we need to protect ourselves and keep a finger on terrorism but maybe we should cut some military spending and divert the money to infastructure. Probably could be done without tax increases.

    Reply

  5. August 08, 2020 at 2:28 pm, Homeowner said:

    Why would you move out to the middle of nowhere and then complain about a lack of services?

    Reply

    • August 08, 2020 at 3:15 pm, mac said:

      > Very selfish, self centered statement to make.

      Reply

      • August 08, 2020 at 3:25 pm, Homeowner said:

        > It’s like moving to the city and complaining about traffic and noise… Every place you might live has trade-offs.

        What’s selfish is expecting to have everything – and expecting someone else to pay for it.

        Reply

        • August 08, 2020 at 4:14 pm, Bob said:

          > You might as well stop wasting your time; you can’t reason these choosey beggars out of things they didn’t reason into.

          Reply

  6. August 08, 2020 at 3:35 pm, Jason said:

    Entrenched ISP’s have no motivation (monetary or policy) in providing service to anything but high-density populations. Since the internet isn’t regulated as a utility although in 2020 it really should be given how many critical systems rely on it. I am putting my hopes in Mr. Musk before any local provider:

    https://www.starlink.com/

    Reply

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