NBC recently spoke with RS Fiber (in rural MN) and a student in Newark to talk about what having broadband means during the course of a day. They talk about the impact of 5G, especially the deepening of the digital divide as some areas get it and some don’t. And they talk about the divide being based on access in rural areas and affordability in urban areas. The answer either way is for people who don’t have access to move to areas that do – for the farmer that means driving 60 miles to update data. In Newark that means a student taking a bus to a library with access.

They also talk a little bit about the business model and how RS Fiber, as a cooperative, is able to meet the business needs of local residents above business needs of shareholders because the local residents are the shareholders.

It’s a quick five minute video but it hits on a lot of issues from the front lines. And they ask the internet-old question – is broadband a utility.