Rural technology matters — a lot!

The Federation of Canadian Municipalities recently noted that "broadband Internet access has become fundamental to modern life, and has the power to transform rural and northern Canada.

Networks contribute to economic growth by improving productivity, providing new services, supporting innovation, and improving market access.

Unfortunately, the “digital divide” remains a reality in rural and remote communities and First Nations, as some are without broadband coverage while others remain underserved by insufficient bandwidth and network capacity to meet rapidly evolving user demands.

It's crucial rural residents and leaders understand the fundamental importance of having access to adequate bandwidth if their communities are to survive, let alone prosper, as we move deeper into the 21st century.

Understanding what comes after connectivity arrives in rural communities is an area of needed research. We've seen rapid growth and skyrocketing housing prices as digital nomads escape the expense of urban living for rural life.