The Basics
Access to affordable broadband connectivity sufficent to transmit patient data in a reliable way is a major barrier faced by rural providers.1 If you find your community does not have access to any of the broadband technology platforms, Broadband.Gov recommends contacting local government officials. You can contact your mayor, county executive, or town or county council members and inquire about attracting broadband service providers to your community.
Your Broadband Needs
Remember, the broadband needs of health care providers are different from, and potentially more demanding than, the needs of schools, libraries, and residential households. Be sure potential service providers you are trying to attract to your community are capable of meeting your broadband needs.
For More Information
For more information on broadband, see the following resources.
- What is broadband and why is broadband access important?
- How can my organization access broadband?
- What is the recommended bandwidth for different types of health care providers?
- Broadband Toolkit
References
- Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology. “Rural Health IT Is a Priority for HHS.”