We can end the digital divide

For-profit ISPs have little motivation to bring Broadband access to rural populations and many urban residents cannot afford the plans that are available. Large for-profit companies need to show their shareholders they are profitable on a quarterly basis. Thus, their infrastructure investments focus on places where they can get a quick return on investment. However, bringing broadband into rural areas and underserved populations in cities requires a long-term view. Putting fiber optic cable into the ground or even hanging it overhead on poles requires a long-term view. Therefore, the solution requires organizations for whom a long-term view makes sense, which means some combination of government investment plus locally-based cooperatives and businesses.