LAHARPE When it comes to rural broadband internet access, Kansas is the envy of the nation.
We are light years ahead of most other states, notes Shekinah Bailey, a field representative with the USDAs Rural Utility Service. North Dakota has done a massive build recently, and its catching up. But when we look at the number of miles of fiber per resident in rural areas, theres nowhere that comes close.
However, with all of its advantages in broadband infrastructure, Kansas lags behind other states when it comes to telemedicine and distance learning services, Bailey said.
For the past five years, Bailey has served three states in pursuing USDA funding for various telecommunications services.