Not All Internet Connections Are Created Equal

Rural areas are coming into focus as Alabama ranks among the worst states in terms of internet connection speeds.

By: Lauren Vargas | WKRG-TV
Published: March 21, 2011

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The official Alabama broadband map shows some rural areas in the state without any kind of broadband access.

Lack of funding and environmental issues are two reasons for the varying degree of broadband service.

While some stimulus and grant money has been used to expand services, the nation's struggling economy has made it even harder for providers to extend their coverage. Currently, there are no tax incentives for providers to invest in rural Alabama.

Former Gov. Bob Riley's Alabama Broadband Initiative created ConnectingALABAMA in 2008 to map where broadband access is limited. Since then, numerous regional meetings have been conducted to determine why high-speed connection access is limited.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)