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Rural America Needs Broadband Says Extension Educator

Oneida County UW-Extension

The recently-hired Oneida county UW-Extension agent says he found an issue front and center which mirrors what he found in another rural area: the need for more high-speed internet.

Myles Alexander is the Community, Natural Resources and Economic Development Educator in Rhinelander.

Alexander was working at Kansas State University and found ranchers and farmers want broadband, but it's too expensive to get it to them,what he calls the "last mile"syndrome, or it costs too much to go the final mile to install a high-speed cable.Alexander says today's approach is different than when electric and telephone lines were installed across the country. He says while wireless technology is available, it too, costs money.

Alexander says today's approach is different than when electric and telephone lines were installed across the country. He says while wireless technology is available, it too, costs money. He says overcoming the hurdles are important for rural growth...

"....get the equipment,infrastructure, whatever technology is being used, in place, affordably and providing sufficient quality of service. We don't want to spend a lot of money and time to put things in place that won't meet the need...."

He says he would like people to tell him ideas how to build more Oneida county infrastructure in other areas as well...

".....I really appreciate any time people can tell me a story, be it the distant past, the recent past or something that is happening now. This is when Oneida county shines. This is where it is great...."

His office is in the Rhinelander-Oneida County Airport.

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