Lack of awareness remains high regarding satellite-enabled broadband solutions for ruralsmall businesses seeking connectivity, according to industry and government leaders. Representatives from the Federal Communications Commission, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Hughes Network Systems (HNS) and the Rural Broadband Coalition (RBC) discussed the challenges that remain in bridging the digital divide at a forum on Capitol Hill Sept. 20.

“Regulation, awareness, education, financing and technology are among the most significant barriers still facing rural broadband connectivity,” said RBC Managing Director Alan Shark. “We need to have a central depository of information regarding the already achieved successes regarding rural broadband connectivity.”

But understanding such challenges is only a part of the problem. Even with all the advancements, there are urban, suburban and rural areas that still lack sufficient connectivity. According to the “Broadband Access Survey,” conducted by Survey.com and commissioned by HNS, found that the nationwide poll of 250 small businesses of those who do not use broadband, 43 percent say that it is not available to them.

“The survey also pointed out that of those small businesses who do not have terrestrial broadband, 50 percent said that there is no other option for them,” added HNS Senior Vice President Mike Cook. “What was truly surprising to me was that one-third of small businesses in urban areas, with terrestrial build out, did not have broadband connectivity.”

All agreed that lack of knowledge regarding the various technologies available for broadband transmission is fueling this lack of progress. Even though that roughly $3.3 billion already has been allocated for deployment of broadband services, according to USDA Rural Services Administrator Curtis Anderson, no money has been allocated to satellite- enabled platforms. “We expect to see the solution involving a hybrid platform but we have not received any satellite applications,” Anderson said.

Cook was quick to point out that applications have not been needed given the economies associated with a satellite-enabled platform. “There is much work that still needs to be done,” added Cook. “Despite years of talk regarding closing the digital divide, there are still many small businesses who are overlooked by terrestrial broadband providers. They will need to gain broadband access in order to keep their competitive edge.”