9-17-2024 4:48am

RURAL INTERNET PLAN

MD Internet Access: High Statewide, But Rural Counties Struggle to Keep Pace

Access to broadband in rural areas is an issue nationwide, and Maryland is no exception. New data from the Local Estimates of Internet Adoption (LEIA) program reveals that while Maryland maintains strong internet adoption rates overall, significant gaps persist in rural counties, affecting residents’ ability to participate fully in the digital economy, access education, and benefit from telehealth services.

These insights, provided by the US Census Bureau in collaboration with the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), highlight that internet adoption rates in Maryland’s urban counties far outpace those in more rural parts of the state.

Key Maryland County Data

Montgomery County and Howard County boast high-speed internet adoption rates exceeding 85 percent, making them among the state’s most connected areas.
Allegany County and Garrett County have internet adoption rates below 60 percent, underscoring the persistent challenges in Maryland’s western and rural regions.
Other counties like Somerset also experience lower adoption rates, emphasizing the need for targeted broadband expansion efforts.

Bridging the Gap

Many locations are unserved not because of a lack of nearby infrastructure but because of the difficulty and cost of installing service. Programs like Connect Maryland: Home Stretch – Difficult to Serve Properties (HS-DSP), administered by the Maryland Office of Statewide Broadband, are designed to bring high-speed internet to locations that face unique challenges due to their remoteness or distance from existing infrastructure.

As Maryland works to leverage federal funding from initiatives like the Digital Equity Act, LEIA data will be crucial for identifying areas where high-speed internet access remains insufficient. By focusing on counties with lower adoption rates, Maryland can ensure that its digital infrastructure improvements reach the residents who need them most.