Bridging the digital divide through partnerships led by Commerce.
In today’s digital world, internet access is no longer a luxury. It has become a basic utility- every bit as essential as clean water or reliable electricity. Yet in pockets of rural Washington, many households still live without a dependable connection to the online world.
For decades, the telecommunications industry has expanded steadily, doing well in many regions. But rural communities face a different reality. When population density is low, private companies struggle to justify the cost of building out high‑speed networks. The return on investment simply isn’t there.
That’s where providers like Broadlinc step in.
“As we’re entering into the age ahead, if you don’t have adequate internet, your household, your business, your community doesn’t have resiliency,” explained Ariane Schmidt, Executive Director of Spokane Regional Broadband Authority at Broadlinc.
Broadlinc was formed in 2022, in the wake of a pandemic that made one truth unmistakably clear: without internet, rural communities are cut off from opportunity. Remote learning, telehealth, online business tools, and even social connection are no longer optional. They’re foundational.
“The Federal Communications Commission data showed that as of 2024, Spokane County ranked fifth in the nation with more than 24,000 underserved addresses,” Schmidt said.
Even once an area is connected, sustainability matters. If too few households subscribe, maintaining that connection long-term becomes financially risky for providers. That’s why local governments and community partners play a crucial role. Their support lightens the financial burden, ensuring companies aren’t left carrying the cost alone. And unlike private entities, local governments aren’t going anywhere. Their presence gives providers the confidence to invest in places that would otherwise be left behind.
Thanks to these partnerships, work in rural Spokane County is already underway, and some homes will be connected by the end of this year.
Broadlinc is working with the Washington State Broadband Office and local partners to expand both fiber and fixed wireless service, reaching thousands more homes.
“We have mountains, we have oceans. We have valleys. We have rivers. And not all technology works everywhere,” Schmidt explained. “Our awards are a combination of fiber and fixed wireless, so that we can get fiber to those that we can but also have high-capacity internet to those that fiber just doesn’t make sense.”
The first barrier is simply having a connection available. But the work doesn’t stop with infrastructure. Affordability, access programs, and digital literacy all matter too. Public‑private partnerships help fill these gaps, ensuring that even the most remote households aren’t left behind.
When distance is no longer a barrier everything changes. Families can stay in their homes. Businesses can thrive. Communities can grow stronger.
“The other thing it does for rural areas is it really is a unique way for them to preserve their identity. The affection of local, you know, small town vibe,” said Schmidt. “They can really market that and showcase it without changing who they are with just adequate internet connection. And that’s really a special thing to preserve rural America.”
Adequate internet isn’t just about connecting to the world. It’s about giving rural Spokane County the tools to shape its future.