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A photo shows US and Israeli flags projected on the historic walls of the Old City near Hebron Gate in Jerusalem on June 22, 2025. (Getty Images)
The fastest Internet speed varies across the United States. Americans who live in urban areas have access to speeds unavailable to many of those who live in rural America. It is left up to rural broadband carriers to make the investments needed to close the gap.
Highlighting the important role played these carriers, a new Hudson Institute report, The Economic Impact of Rural Broadband, has determined that the industry has a direct annual economic impact in excess of $24 billion. Rural broadband further supports more than $100 billion in e-commerce, manufacturing, and retail sales.
On Wednesday, April 20, Hudson Institute hosted a discussion about closing the urban-rural gap. Hudson Institute Senior Fellow Hanns Kuttner presented the new report. Joining him to discuss the industry’s impact and prospects were Shirley Bloomfield, CEO of NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association; Nancy White, CEO of a rural broadband company in Lafayette, Tenn.; rural broadband consultant Leo Staurulakis, and Dusty Johnson, Vice President of Consulting, Vantage Point Solutions.
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(Screenshot via YouTube)
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A digital display stock index is seen in Lujiazui, China, on March 9, 2026. (Getty Images)
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A screen showing the Shanghai composite index, Shenzhen component index, and Beijing stock exchange 50 index is seen in the Jing'an district of Shanghai on March 2, 2026. (Getty Images)
