Telecommunications and Rural Economies: Findings from the Appalachian Region

Title: Telecommunications and Rural Economies: Findings from the Appalachian Region

Research Question: How does the development of telecommunications infrastructure in rural areas impact the economy?

Methodology: The study used a comprehensive mapping of current telecom infrastructure patterns and statistical analyses to assess the relationship between telecommunications development and economic growth. Data was collected through field research, telephone interviews, archival and secondary documents, and web-based investigations.

Results: The research found that telecommunications infrastructure in the Appalachian regions is less developed than in other parts of the country and that it compares negatively to national averages on various broadband indicators. Broadband technologies such as cable modems, DSL, and even high-speed services are not as widely distributed in the Appalachian region as national statistics suggest. Statistical analyses showed that these distribution patterns are associated with economic activity, with more distressed counties having less developed broadband telecommunications infrastructure.

Implications: The study suggests that the development of telecommunications infrastructure is crucial for rural economies. It also highlights the importance of balancing costs and supports in telecommunications policies, and the potential benefits of coordination among state agencies and nonmarket solutions such as training and education. The research emphasizes the need for more creative collaboration to enhance the harnessing of telecommunications capabilities to economic growth.

Link to Article: https://arxiv.org/abs/0109090v1 Authors: arXiv ID: 0109090v1