AgriStar high-speed satellite internet closes digital divide

The much discussed “digital divide” between rural and urban America has effectively been bridged for anyone who now desires high-speed (broadband) Internet connectivity, but many people are still not aware there is universal access or the impact, according to President Kip Pendleton AgriStar Global Networks, Ltd.

At a recent National AgriMarketing Association (NAMA) conference in Kansas City, MO, Pendleton told a group of agribusiness executives that although there still is widespread belief that rural America is unable to get broadband Internet connectivity, that concern is simply not justified.  "Literally 100% of the continental U.S. now can get access to a broadband Internet service with download speeds as high as 1,000 kbps and upload speeds over 100 kbps through high-speed, two-way satellite connectivity, plus it can be installed and in service in as little as 10 business days" he said.

Pendleton pointed out to the agribusiness group that recent surveys consistently show that many people mistakenly believe that there is no high-speed Internet alternative to cable or DSL.  "Discussions regarding rural broadband availability usually begin with the premise that some type of local infrastructure is needed in order to deliver broadband Internet access to a rural area’s local residents and businesses.  And since an Internet infrastructure does not exist in most rural areas, the myth is perpetuated that broadband access is not available” Pendleton said.  “From an economics standpoint, investing in local broadband infrastructure for all of rural America is an inefficient use of capital, because satellite Internet access can be extended to any rural resident in any location for only a fraction of the cost of building out cable or DSL service.”

 AgriStar’s high-speed satellite Internet service extends to any location in the continental United States with a clear view of the southern sky.  "Satellite delivery is an ideal way to connect rural areas because it is distance insensitive," Pendleton said.  "All that is needed to deliver broadband connectivity to a rural resident anywhere in the U.S. is a satellite dish and modem, which can be installed within 2 weeks as opposed to laying costly terrestrial lines which takes months or years, and may never happen in many rural areas because of the economics."

The impact to Rural America from broadband can be huge.  Pendleton shared that there is a 320% increase in use of the internet when new subscribers go from dial up service to utilizing the high-speed, always-on AgriStar system.  AgriStar focuses on serving rural America and the agricultural industry by providing high‑speed Internet connectivity that is coupled with a wide range of business information and services.  Subscribers include commercial farming operations, part-time farms and rural non-farm businesses and residences.

"AgriStar's satellite broadband Internet access has download speeds that are 25 to 50 times faster than most rural dial-up systems, which allows anyone in the U.S. to use the Internet very efficiently,” Pendleton said.

AgriStar Global Networks, Ltd. is a satellite-based communications company established to bridge the large connectivity gap between the world’s commercial farm and ranch operators and their primary trade partners throughout the global food and fiber chain. AgriStar joined forces with Hughes Network Systems to develop AgriStar Powered by DIRECWAY to integrate leading commercial farms and ranches, agribusinesses and food companies into a two‑way, high-speed satellite network system. AgriStar also provides broadband service to other types of businesses and residences throughout rural America.  AgriStar has a 50-year history through its forerunner entities of developing pioneering communications and business advisory programs for the agricultural industry. These include the Top Farmers of America Association in the 1960’s, the first organization to provide business services for leading farm operations; Farm Futures in the 1970’s, the industry’s first risk management publication; AgriData Resources in the 1980’s, the first national computer network linking top farms; and American Land Resources in the 1990’s, the first investment banking entity to utilize national farmland databases to assemble investment-grade agricultural land funds. AgriStar is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, with its national operations center located in St. Paul, Minnesota.