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= Internet Poverty In New Hampshire =

Overview
Internet poverty describes a scenario in which an individual suffers from impoverished living circumstances resulting from a lack of access to quality broadband internet (poverty as a result of a digital divide). It is common for those who lack access to broadband internet to be located in rural or geographically challenged areas, where population density is lower and internet providers are less numerous.

The state of New Hampshire is broken up into 9 regions. The lower portion of the state is densely populated. While the southern regions make up roughly 80% of the state's population, they are located on roughly 40% of the state's total land area. The northern part of the state, commonly referred to as the North Country, is sparsely populated. The northern 3 regions account for more than 60% of the state's total land area, but account for roughly 20% of the state's population.

New Hampshire has the lowest poverty rate of any state at roughly 7.7%. This equates to more than 100,000 people in poverty based upon the state's population. Despite this, reporting by local news agencies and policy institutions have cataloged that residents in northern regions still have difficulties finding quality income and sustainable employment opportunities when compared to their southern counterparts.

Individuals and families who live in the North Country also have less internet providers and slower internet speeds than those who live in the southern portion of the state. North Country residents are almost entirely excluded from upload speeds of 25 MBPS. Most residents in the southern parts of the state have access to broadband providers who offer internet upload speeds of 100 MBPS or more.

Regional Availability
Access to broadband internet in New Hampshire varies widely depending on the region where residents. In the 6 southern regions of the state, residents have access to multiple broadband providers, as well as multiple broadband package options from each provider The further north a resident of the state lives, the fewer options and internet packages they have available to them.

North Country Regional Availability
The following internet providers are available in at least one region in Northern New Hampshire: Spectrum, Consolidated Communications, GWI, Hughesnet.

The maximum internet speed available to consumers in this region is provided by Spectrum at 300 MBPS. Coverage maps are rough estimates of coverage availability, and individuals should always contact providers to confirm service and speed in their area.

Southern Regional Availability
The following internet providers are available in at least one region in southern New Hampshire for individual consumers: Xfinity, Viasat, Hughesnet, GWI, Consolidated Communications

The maximum internet speed available to consumers in this region is provided by Xfinity at roughly 1000 MBPS. Coverage maps are rough estimates of coverage availability, and individuals should always contact providers to confirm service and speed in their area.

Geographic Challenges
Northern New Hampshire counties are at an intrinsic disadvantage when looking at broadband infrastructure. This is due to the mountainous terrain located in this portion of the state. Additionally, the White Mountain National Forest covers a large territory near county boundaries where the North country and southern counties lie.

Northern Counties
Northern counties in New Hampshire have higher levels of poverty when compared to the southern counties.

Northern counties have lower median income levels than southern counties do.

There exist differences in access and availability of services between northern and southern counties in New Hampshire. Rural populations are older, are more likely to be uninsured, and healthcare providers are further away

Southern Counties
New Hampshire's 6 southern counties have higher median income levels than northern counties.

Southern counties have lower concentrations of poverty than other New Hampshire counties.

Southern counties have greater accessibility and variety of public and private services when compared to northern counties. Population density and socioeconomic factors make access to critical health services easier

Poverty and Broadband Access Data
There is data to suggest that a lack of broadband internet access can contribute to or further poverty level. National and state data reflect those in New Hampshire regarding rural broadband availability and poverty levels. . Communities that lack steady and fast internet access are much more likely to live at or below the poverty line.

Poverty and Broadband Access Research
Scholarly research and studies support data concerning the link between broadband availability in rural areas and poverty levels. Research suggests that a lack of broadband internet access can increase poverty levels through a variety of means. However, studies have been inconclusive regarding the precise methods by which solving broadband poverty can be achieved.

Existing
At the state level, New Hampshire is attempting to increase availability to broadband internet to its residents.

A recent state initiative to increase broadband access 2018, Governor Chris Sununu passed a bill intended on improving broadband internet access in rural counties. The bill was moved swiftly through both chambers in a seemingly bipartisan effort

Policies and actions have been implemented on a town level too. Towns in rural parts of New Hampshire have begun to create their own internet infrastructure, or contract providers to do it.

Other Policy Options
There are policy options available for lawmakers who wish to increase levels of broadband availability and decrease levels of poverty in New Hampshire.

Increasing Demand
Instead of trying to demonstrate to broadband companies they should develop broadband in rural areas, some argue for increasing demand for internet in rural areas. They argue that this approach does not require population growth to attract suppliers, but rather utilizes the population already in the area. Local communities ought to increase demand for internet services. Then suppliers will be more willing to come into a rural area and pay for the infrastructure, as they will see a market that has not been touched yet.

Marketing Based Approach
Another approach to bridging the broadband divide would be to market broadband to local communities. Using broadband as the marketing device, local communities should try to be convinced to create their own broadband, or contract companies to do it. The pitch of broadband is that communities with broadband have higher economic growth, lower levels of poverty, greater access to services, and higher levels of income. These factors can then be used to persuade local communities to undergo the investment of broadband infrastructure.

Targeting Proper Markets
A third way in which lawmakers in New Hampshire could implement broadband would be to concentrate their efforts on highly competitive or selective markets. Rather than a private or public approach, the state would step in, select communities whose infrastructure development would prove most beneficial in a respective region, and develop that community's infrastructure. By selecting highly competitive communities, the state could save on resources, and the town's that could benefit the most from internet could receive it, allowing for neighboring towns to develop connected infrastructure down the line