Before I start on today’s column I have a little flashback to last week. I mentioned other voice recognition apps like Office’s new Dictate.ms last week. I received an email from a couple of readers last week chatting about Google Docs. Yes, Google Docs has speech-to-text capabilities also. However, I have never tested it. I would imagine it is no better or worse than the others.
If you wish to try it go to your Google Docs online, choose Add-ons and click, “Speech recognition SoundWriter.” Then go for it. Let me know how it works for you…better or worse than any others you have tried? And thanks for keeping me on my toes with the emails…keep them coming.
Today I want talk to you a bit about something that many of my readers can be encouraged by. I have lost count of the number of emails and conversations I have gotten into regarding how someone can get broadband coverage in rural areas. Yes, they can get satellite TV, yes, rural areas can get internet through phone lines (slow speeds) … but what about real fairly reliable high-speed internet?
Within the past month Microsoft came up with a plan. Around the first of this month MS talked about an idea to bring broadband internet connectivity to rural areas of the U.S.A. The Microsoft Rural Broadband Initiative involves using the portion of UHV television bands that allow wireless signals to make it around blockages like buildings, hills and even travel longer distances. With that and some other technologies they can get high speed to most all areas in the US.
This graphic shows current connection areas.
At this point in time they are talking relative high speeds of 25Mbps. The FCC states that 25 megabits per second is the definition of high speed broadband. I have also read that means that approximately 23 million people in rural areas cannot get that speed. For comparison, it has been said that you have to have a minimum of 8Mbps to stream video decently. So, folks can easily watch Hulu, Netflix and all the other streaming services and broadcast channels that stream if they get this service.
OK, how long will you have to wait? Currently they say that it should start rolling out in 2018 and be finished in 2022. Is that true? Well only time will tell but I imagine they are a little overly aggressive at first.
Even the politicos are getting onboard thinking about the necessity of localities for emergency services, doctors, businesses and more that could benefit from this. President Trump has put some money into the latest infrastructure budget to include funding to enhance Broadband access in rural communities. The politicians on Capitol Hill are also calling on federal agencies to help reduce costs on both sides of the aisles.
The reality is that it will most likely be here in the not too distant future. It will cost a bundle to set up. Even then not everyone will be able to access it. However, it will be much better than the alternatives we currently have.