Residential Internet Access Cost in Nebraska

• Published in: Great Plains research Vol. 28; no. 2; pp. 149 - 154
• Main Author: Obermier, Timothy R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Lincoln THE CENTER FOR GREAT PLAINS STUDIES, UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA-LINCOLN, IN COLLABORATION WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA PRESS 01-10-2018; University of Nebraska Press; Center for Great Plains Studies, University of Nebraska Lincoln
• Subjects: Broadband; Census of Population; Communication; Community; Cost analysis; Downloading; Economic growth; Economic indicators; Fiber optics; GDP; Gross Domestic Product; Internet; Internet access; Internet service providers; Optical fibers; Population studies; Progress reports; Rural areas; Rural communities; Urban areas; Urban populations; United States > US; Kentucky; Nebraska
• ISSN: 1052-5165; 2334-2463; 2334-2463
• DOI: 10.1353/gpr.2018.0026

This study compares the cost of accessing the internet via digital subscriber line, terrestrial wireless, fiber optic cable, and television cable systems within each of the five classifications of cities, including metropolitan, primary, first class, second class, and village in the state of Nebraska. Cost is analyzed on a megabit per second (Mbps) basis, allowing for comparisons between access medium and the classes of cities. A detailed comparison is provided, which examines internet access speed defined by the Federal Communications Commission as broadband at 4 Mbps download and 1 Mbps upload and internet access speed at 25 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload. Findings reveal substantial differences in cost between broadband and non-broadband services and also substantial differences in cost between rural and urban population centers. The study holds value for community leaders, state telecommunications regulators, and internet service providers as they develop policies and regulations to provide equitable internet services to both rural and urban locations in Nebraska.