We all recognize the value of high-speed internet access to economic opportunity, job creation, education, and civic engagement. According to the UN, close to half of the world’s population still lacks a reliable connection to the internet.
Even in the US, the digital divide is much larger than most people realize. According to the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC), 97% of urban Americans have access to high-speed fixed service, while in rural areas that number falls to 65%. Nearly 30 million Americans cannot reap the benefits of the digital age.
Altaeros, a Massachusetts-based company with a focus on filling the technology gaps in the market, has introduced a solution that brings connectivity to rural areas. In January, Altaeros launched the world’s first commercially available aerial cell tower, the SuperTower ST200, an autonomous helium-filled aerostat platform for the telecom sector.
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