Not a Luxury: Pandemic Highlights Digital Divide in Rural Areas [telecom]

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Missouri And Kansas Communities Scramble For Broadband Access

By Jacob Douglas - November 5th, 2020

OSCEOLA, Mo. - The St. Clair County Library is just off of the square in downtown Osceola. Inside, a plastic sheet drapes from the ceiling to separate the counter from the rest of the library, a new pandemic normal in 2020.

Behind the counter lies a waiting list seven names deep. The people on that list are waiting for one of seven wireless hotspots that have become a precious commodity since they became available in August.