Despite the availability of mobile and fixed broadband access, there is still a significant proportion of the global population that is not adequately covered by terrestrial broadband. This population primarily consist of not just rural end users but also end users in small towns that may be isolated from terrestrial broadband connectivity. The data consumption patterns of rural broadband users have, over the years, been gradually increasing to match that of urban broadband users. Rural broadband users are increasingly relying on high-bandwidth video streaming, messaging and online web-page media for their work, educational and social activities. The COVID-19 pandemic has only accelerated these trends. Extended community lockdowns have expedited the shift towards ICT which has emphasized the importance of having reliable and inclusive broadband network coverage.
