County, provider discuss broadband expansion to rural areas

An example of slow rural internet speeds. Submitted image
An example of slow rural internet speeds. Submitted image

When most people want to hop on the internet at home, all they have to do is make sure they are connected to Wi-Fi and go from there.

But for Kate Gartner, it is not that easy.

The Clark Township resident can’t use Wi-Fi or a modem because she does not have an internet provider. Instead, she and her husband use mobile hotspots on their phones, which add quite a bit to the couple’s cell phone bill, she said.

During the coronavirus pandemic, the family’s lack of internet access became a bigger issue. Gartner had to do a lot of video-conferencing calls, and because the hotspot could not handle the calls, she had to pack up her things and drive down the road to her daughter’s house to work, she said.

Roughly 13.8% of Johnson County households do not have access

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