Broadband Deserts Left Millions Without Digital Access
New data identifies 11.9 million Americans living in areas lacking high-speed internet infrastructure.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Telecommunications
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A study published in JAMA Health Forum found that 11.9 million people across 41 states live in broadband deserts, defined as areas with service speeds below 100/20 Mbps. The analysis highlights a significant digital divide that disproportionately affects rural populations.
Why it matters
The intersection of limited internet speeds and restricted access to healthcare services creates a dual barrier to essential care for rural residents. Understanding this geographical gap is essential for targeting infrastructure investment and digital equity initiatives.
Researchers defined broadband deserts as locations with speeds below 100/20 Mbps, finding that 88.1% of these zones are rural. While 95% of rural households own a computing device, 88.5% maintain a broadband subscription, trailing the 92.6% adoption rate seen in urban households.
The players
JAMA Health Forum
A peer-reviewed medical journal that publishes research on health policy, clinical care, and the social determinants of health.
The details
The study utilized spatial mapping to compare broadband availability with proximity to clinical care and emergency services. Researchers categorized service gaps based on data from 41 states, identifying that 649,000 rural residents lack both high-speed connectivity and access to medical facilities. Digital equity is further complicated by variables including affordability, device quality, and user digital literacy.
Timeline
September 2026: The study was published in JAMA Health Forum.
The Tech Race
This study aligns with ongoing efforts to audit federal infrastructure goals and address the inequities in the domestic telecommunications market. It provides a new benchmark for evaluating how states like North Dakota and New Hampshire approach narrowing their respective coverage gaps.
Rural residents living in these zones face significant hurdles in accessing telehealth services, effectively limiting their ability to utilize digital health tools. While hardware ownership remains high, the lack of robust infrastructure remains the primary barrier to basic online functionality.
The takeaway
The study confirms that connectivity is now a prerequisite for basic healthcare access in many rural parts of the country. Readers should watch for upcoming infrastructure deployment announcements as states use these findings to prioritize network expansion projects.
Further reading
For broader trends in infrastructure deployment and connectivity, visit the Telecommunications section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Telecompetitor.
Live Poll
Should the government prioritize funding to ensure all rural households have access to high-speed internet?
