Archie Parnell is an experienced public policy commentator and taxation lawyer who ran for a congressional seat in 2018 with a platform focused on improving internet access in rural communities. A Pew Research Center report found that 25% of rural residents see the lack of high-speed internet as a major problem, compared to just 13% of urban and 9% of suburban residents. The report also showed that lack of access is seen as a problem across all income levels and education levels in rural areas. Differences exist by age and race, with those aged 50-64 and non-white rural residents more likely to view it as a major problem. Past efforts have identified infrastructure, subscription options, competition, and performance as causes of the broadband

1. Archie Parnell

2. Introduction
Experienced public policy commentator and taxation lawyer
Archie Parnell has an active involvement in tax policy matters
in the US and Asia. Archie Parnell vied for a congressional
seat in 2018, representing the 5th Congressional District of
South Carolina under the platform “People First.” In his
platform, he aimed to push for legislation that will improve
Internet access in rural communities.

3. The research firm Pew Research Center has reported that 25
percent of rural residents in America treat their lack of access
to a high-speed internet connection as a major problem. This
figure is significantly higher compared to 13 percent urban
residents and 9 percent of suburban residents who state that
the lack of high-speed internet access is a problem in their
communities.

4. The lack of high-speed internet access in rural communities
is a shared sentiment regardless of economic standing. The
research showed that 20 percent of rural households with an
annual income of less than $30,000 say this is a major
problem. So do 23 percent of rural households with an annual
income of $75,000 or higher. The figures are also similar
between rural residents with bachelor’s degrees or higher
and those with lower educational attainments.

5. Differences in sentiments are evident, however, when age
and race and ethnicity are considered. The report said
that rural residents aged 50 to 64 will more likely view the
lack of high-speed internet connection as a major problem
compared with other age groups. Also, 31 percent of non-
white rural residents say this is a major problem
compared with 21 percent of their white counterparts.

6. In prior years, legislators and advocates have tried to
bridge the broadband service gaps between rural and
non-rural communities. They have found out that gaps are
caused by major issues like infrastructure, subscription,
competition, and performance. Rural areas are less likely
to be wired for a broadband connection.Additionally, rural
areas generally have lower internet speeds compared
with other areas in the country. Also, rural residents have
limited options when it comes to high-speed internet
subscriptions since fewer broadband providers are
operating in rural areas.