So many people don’t have internet — and it’s not their fault

The pandemic has proven that consistent access to high-speed internet is an essential good. Without it, urgent tasks like applying for unemployment, attending school, scheduling a vaccine appointment, and seeing loved ones are difficult or impossible. Those who’ve finally gotten connected during the pandemic say it provides a sense of normalcy and safety amidst crisis. Advocates of equitable access say the internet is no luxury but instead a utility like water, gas, or electricity, and that Americans like Wright shouldn’t be left behind to bridge the digital divide on her own.

By Rebecca Ruiz

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Estimated Numbers In Montana :

# of households without internet: Households (11.4%)

Of all households, 224,792 have school age children – 9,433 have no internet but have a computer, and 4,214 have no computer – the margin of error is fairly high on these BTW