Hughes Network Systems recently announced that Public Technology Inc. (PTI) has acknowledged that satellite broadband services like HughesNet™ are best suited to address the needs of rural consumers, small businesses and local governments. The organization also stated that no other technology currently available addresses the geographic digital divide as effectively as satellite broadband technology.

PTI's endorsement of satellite broadband for rural communities was issued through the organization's white paper, "Economics of Broadband Access for Underserved Consumers and Businesses." The white paper outlines a variety of broadband options available to consumers at large, but points out that many Americans cannot now, nor will they be able to access in the future, many of the most popular technologies like DSL or cable based solely on geography.

"One of the greatest challenges in serving the rural community is educating them on the availability of and advances in satellite broadband technology," said Mike Cook, senior vice president, Hughes. "The PTI white paper not only effectively captures these benefits but represents excellent advancements in helping rural communities understand the options available to them-especially for those who believe that if they can't get cable or DSL, they can't get broadband."

According to the PTI paper, there has been "dramatic growth of two-way fully interactive satellite broadband offerings. Today small businesses are increasingly recognizing the cost benefits of satellite broadband [and] there continue to be technological breakthroughs that increase speed and bandwidth, reliability, and quality of service at extremely high levels."

PTI Executive Director, Alan Shark says that according to his organization's research, "no rural broadband development program should be considered complete without including the cost/benefits of two-way satellite broadband services that are available everywhere and are available now." Shark also said that satellite broadband services like HughesNet are critical to local government and small businesses' ability to stay competitive in an increasingly wired world.

Hughes' Cook added, "Hughes looks forward to collaborating with PTI to ensure that the needs of rural consumers, small businesses, and local government are met so that they too can gain a competitive economic edge and fully enjoy the benefits of broadband access."

If you live in an area where other forms of high-speed Internet are not available, check out offers from HughesNet to get broadband access for your home.