I Am Back... No Thanks To Arkansas ISPs
I have often engaged in discourse on the "digital divide" that present barriers to Internet access and information. Many times this discourse has involved the need to connect the "Third World" for purposes of economic and political improvement of the lives of people in these countries (most of which are in Africa, Asia and parts of South America). But the truth of the matter is that there are areas in the United States that are so under-served by acceptable and economically accessible Internet connection that these areas might as well be located in Africa, the far eastern parts of Asia, or some remote location in the Amazon.
Arkansas is a state that reflects this access isolation. Despite the laws and programs that have been in place for ten years or more to bring the Internet to rural areas of the United States, most rural areas of Arkansas do not have reasonable or affordable access to the Internet. While there are some dial-up providers, most of them are essentially long distance calls and incur significant costs to use. There are some cable companies providing high-speed cable access, but these mostly serve the few cities and towns that have a population over 1,000. Since most of the cities and towns in Arkansas have under 1,000 people, this is severely limiting. DSL is also limited to regions with a significant customer base. If DSL is offered in a smaller community it is usually limited to those residents that live close to the "business section" of the towns. Unfortunately, those "business sections" are so small that most people don't even notice they were in a "business section."
Satellite service is probably the most reliable option, but the initial costs are about $500, which most people in the rural areas of Arkansas cannot afford. There is a "promotional sale" going on with the major (only) satellite service that allows a monthly payment over 24 months, but it ends up making the monthly bill almost $100. Plus, if you are not using a credit card to pay the monthly bill, there is a $5 to $10 additional charge for mailing a bill to your home. There are also a few other fees that are not directly advertised until you have committed to the sale. In the end, satellite Internet service will end up costing close to $120 per month for the first 24 months (under the payment promotion), unless you are willing to pay $400 up front and use a credit card to pay the monthly tab. Even then, the complete costs for service will be between $75-$100 per month. On top of that, and even if you use a credit card, you must pass a credit check and commit to 24 months of service.
The majority of local elementary schools do not have full Internet access. In Lee County the library does not have computer access for patrons in any shape or form. In St. Francis County the only library I have run into with Internet access is the one in Forrest City, but ordinarily you have to be a library patron to use it... and if you do not live in Forrest City there is a $15 annual fee for access to the library. In Helena-West Helena, located in Phillips County, the library has a limited number of computers for use by patrons, but the use is so regulated that 30 minutes is all you can have, and you cannot surf as you please. Neither the Lee County, St. Francis County or Phillips County libraries are really up-to-date in terms of their books, services, audio-video or computer access. In fact, each and every computer I have used down this way has been so poorly maintained that the virus prevention software has been 6-12 weeks expired on each system and network.
But there are economic, transportation and cultural barriers present down here that just seem to make the Internet a non-entity down here. In most places, even the computer as a tool for word processing, data processing and other standard work-related uses is received as a foreign object that is to be feared.
But I finally found a solution and the money to reconnect to the Internet. I am not fully setup as of yet, but I will be gradually restoring my connections and blogging with some of my same zeal and considered opinions.
I hope some of my more loyal readers will return to read my words.
Arkansas is a state that reflects this access isolation. Despite the laws and programs that have been in place for ten years or more to bring the Internet to rural areas of the United States, most rural areas of Arkansas do not have reasonable or affordable access to the Internet. While there are some dial-up providers, most of them are essentially long distance calls and incur significant costs to use. There are some cable companies providing high-speed cable access, but these mostly serve the few cities and towns that have a population over 1,000. Since most of the cities and towns in Arkansas have under 1,000 people, this is severely limiting. DSL is also limited to regions with a significant customer base. If DSL is offered in a smaller community it is usually limited to those residents that live close to the "business section" of the towns. Unfortunately, those "business sections" are so small that most people don't even notice they were in a "business section."
Satellite service is probably the most reliable option, but the initial costs are about $500, which most people in the rural areas of Arkansas cannot afford. There is a "promotional sale" going on with the major (only) satellite service that allows a monthly payment over 24 months, but it ends up making the monthly bill almost $100. Plus, if you are not using a credit card to pay the monthly bill, there is a $5 to $10 additional charge for mailing a bill to your home. There are also a few other fees that are not directly advertised until you have committed to the sale. In the end, satellite Internet service will end up costing close to $120 per month for the first 24 months (under the payment promotion), unless you are willing to pay $400 up front and use a credit card to pay the monthly tab. Even then, the complete costs for service will be between $75-$100 per month. On top of that, and even if you use a credit card, you must pass a credit check and commit to 24 months of service.
The majority of local elementary schools do not have full Internet access. In Lee County the library does not have computer access for patrons in any shape or form. In St. Francis County the only library I have run into with Internet access is the one in Forrest City, but ordinarily you have to be a library patron to use it... and if you do not live in Forrest City there is a $15 annual fee for access to the library. In Helena-West Helena, located in Phillips County, the library has a limited number of computers for use by patrons, but the use is so regulated that 30 minutes is all you can have, and you cannot surf as you please. Neither the Lee County, St. Francis County or Phillips County libraries are really up-to-date in terms of their books, services, audio-video or computer access. In fact, each and every computer I have used down this way has been so poorly maintained that the virus prevention software has been 6-12 weeks expired on each system and network.
But there are economic, transportation and cultural barriers present down here that just seem to make the Internet a non-entity down here. In most places, even the computer as a tool for word processing, data processing and other standard work-related uses is received as a foreign object that is to be feared.
But I finally found a solution and the money to reconnect to the Internet. I am not fully setup as of yet, but I will be gradually restoring my connections and blogging with some of my same zeal and considered opinions.
I hope some of my more loyal readers will return to read my words.
posted by Jim Downey at 5:41 PM
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