How fiber internet is transforming communities

At the start of the 20th century, many rural communities in the U.S. still lacked electricity and running water. Today, as video calls and cloud-based tools are everyday essentials, fiber internet is transforming rural infrastructure in ways that are every bit as beneficial.

Rural fiber optic internet is opening doors for communities by driving economic growth and expanding access to education and healthcare. Below, we’ll explore its impact across rural America.

A study by the Center on Rural Innovation (CORI) shows that rural counties with high broadband utilization see significant economic gains:

• 213% higher business growth
• 10% higher self‑employment growth
• 44% higher GDP growth
• 18% higher per‑capita income growth (vs. comparable low‑usage counties)

Fiber internet is one of the fastest and most reliable ways¹ to deliver these results. While many rural areas have historically lacked this level of infrastructure, expanding fiber is changing that. By connecting communities to true high-speed broadband, fiber creates a foundation for lasting growth and long-term prosperity.

With fast, dependable connections, rural learners can:

• Earn degrees and certifications without relocating
• Access real‑time tutoring and virtual classrooms
• Tackle advanced coursework that requires robust connectivity

Adults benefit, too, with flexible paths for upskilling, professional development, and entrepreneurship. When education is accessible, individual progress becomes community progress.

Fiber broadband narrows gaps between rural and urban care² by making advanced services available closer to home. They support:

• Telemedicine visits with specialists
• Secure sharing of diagnostic files and imaging
• Real‑time care coordination among providers

As more services move to digital platforms, fiber helps local clinics and hospitals keep pace — and gives patients more ways to access the care they need.

High‑capacity broadband makes it easier for rural residents to participate in the shared digital landscape:

• Watch live events and performances
• Join virtual interest groups and classes
• Stay connected with family and friends across the country
  

Local arts programming and community forums also expand online, strengthening ties and opening doors to a wider world of experiences without lag or limits.

Fiber networks are energy‑efficient and use less power than older copper systems. They’re built with headroom, using only a fraction of their capacity today, making them ready for future demand.

Reliable broadband also helps cut down on carbon-intensive long-distance commuting and gives rural regions a digital backbone that sustains growth. Expanded broadband access means more people can learn and work from home, opening up new possibilities for community development.

Brightspeed Fiber Internet delivers world-class fiber broadband in communities all over America — rural, urban, and everywhere in between. Our high-speed packages provide fast and reliable internet service for homes and businesses, with no long-term contracts or hidden fees. Find a plan that fits your needs and get started now.

[1] Wood, Emily. “New Research Proves That Providing Fiber Broadband Experiences to Rural Communities Boosts Income, Entrepreneurship, and Business Investment.” Center on Rural Innovation, September 30, 2024. https://ruralinnovation.us/press-releases/new-research-proves-that-providing-fiber-broadband-experiences-to-rural-communities-boosts-income-entrepreneurship-and-business-investment/.

[2] Weeks, William B, Ji E Chang, José A Pagán, Jeffrey Lumpkin, Divya Michael, Santiago Salcido, Allen Kim, et al. “Rural-Urban Disparities in Health Outcomes, Clinical Care, Health Behaviors, and Social Determinants of Health and an Action-Oriented, Dynamic Tool for Visualizing Them.” PLOS global public health, October 3, 2023. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10547156/.