In May, I wrote about a boy outside of Biwabik with autism who was missing therapy because his broadband (satellite) was intermittent. In Forum has learned more about the story…

As a youth who suffers from autism, technology is a way that Dalton can connect to the rest of the world.

“He is extremely interested in anything visual,” his mother, Kirsten Klang, said. “That is how he learns.”

However, Dalton usually cannot connect to the internet for videos and other online aids because the family lives in a northern Minnesota area without wired internet service.

“He is so smart,” Klang said. “But I just don’t have the resources to get him as much internet as he could use.”

The satellite internet service Klang uses is spotty, at best, and costly for how little good it provides.

The boy’s story illustrates a push to expand high-speed Internet, known as broadband, in rural Minnesota. Gov. Mark Dayton set a goal of making broadband available to every home and business.

The situation is getting better – but not everywhere…

The government and private investments mean that not everyone’s story is like that experienced by Klang and her son.

“In general, we are seeing the momentum and the interest in the program increase,” Executive Director Danna Mackenzie of the state’s Office of Broadband Development said about state broadband construction grants.

The article goes on to highlights towns with and without access. It’s another example of the growing interest in equitable access for all!