Students research broadband access for rural, low-income eastern North Carolina communities
East Carolina University students are helping a small business owner expand broadband access in eastern North Carolina, a resource that many people rely on daily and take for granted.
Oriana Corbett, a graduate student majoring in sociology, is one of five Harriot College students learning about the challenges of rural broadband access. (Photos by Steven Mantilla)
Jessica Zufolo, owner of HarvestBeam, Inc., a rural broadband startup company based in southern Pitt County, is the recipient of a USDA grant to collect data on broadband access in rural, low-income communities in the eastern region of the state. The grant is designed to show areas where people have insufficient access to the internet so that federal money can be used to improve infrastructure and get people connected.
“Broadband access is crucial for many reasons, and without the internet, people are cut off from all sorts of important resources,” said Dr. Kristen Myers, chair and professor in the Department of Sociology, who helped recruit ECU students to work on the project.
In her grant proposal, Zufolo committed to hiring ECU students as paid interns and training them for their hands-on research. Myers said the work appeals to students in a wide array of majors, not only in social science data collection and analysis, but also economic development, entrepreneurship, politics and technology, and interests in rural communities and equity.
This spring, Zufolo hired five students from ECU and the Thomas Harriot College of Arts and Sciences – Christopher Bobbitt, who graduated in May with his Bachelor of Arts degree in anthropology and a minor in political science; Beck Squier, an undergraduate majoring in psychology; Oriana Corbett, a graduate student majoring in sociology; Cooper Hilbert, an undergraduate pursuing dual majors in economics and community and regional planning, with a minor in business administration and a concentration in policy analysis; and Noah Biggs, an undergraduate majoring in economics, with a concentration in economic data analysis and a minor in security studies. During their internship, Zufolo also mentors the students and networks them with industry leaders and USDA administrators.
Christopher Bobbitt, a recent Harriot College graduate, believes it is important to address digital equity issues faced by rural communities.
“My role involves conducting interviews and surveys, market analysis, managing data collection and organizing community focus groups,” said Bobbitt. “Additionally, I’ve gained valuable technical experience in network maintenance and troubleshooting, and I’ve also learned how to connect with local officials and community leaders to develop new outreach initiatives and to conduct market research. It’s been rewarding to apply my anthropological research skills to real-world issues and see the impact on our communities.”
Corbett said, “I have learned a great deal about rural broadband access, adoption challenges and constraints for low-income areas, and how the lack of affordable and reliable broadband service has held so many communities in Pitt County and elsewhere back.”
“My team and I are learning how the federal and state broadband maps are developed, their unique flaws and how the inaccuracies of these maps impact the availability of federal and state broadband infrastructure funding, which is needed in the targeted areas for this project,” she said.
“I have absolutely loved getting to work with the team and engaging with people in the various towns we have worked with,” Hilbert said. “Digital equity is something that I am very passionate about.”
Making a Difference in the Region
While participating in the research and data collection, students are using their skills and knowledge to make a difference in the community.
Cooper Hilbert, an undergraduate pursuing dual majors in economics and community and regional planning, said he and his family know firsthand how difficult it is not to have reliable internet coverage.
“I believe this work is crucial because it addresses digital equity issues faced by rural communities. By expanding broadband access and constructing new fixed wireless networks, we’re not just providing a service, we’re empowering these communities with the tools they need to thrive in today’s digital age,” said Bobbitt. “It gives back to the community and puts power in their hands, enabling better access to education, health care and economic opportunities. To me, this project is a testament to how technology can bridge gaps and create a more equitable society.”
Hilbert said he and his family have firsthand knowledge of how difficult it can be not having reliable coverage.
“My mother struggled for years trying to get internet coverage when she had to move back to her hometown to take care of our grandparents, and so I learned in many ways what it meant to live in an area that was left without coverage from broadband companies,” he said. “We grew up watching movies on Redbox since it was practically impossible to stream where we were, and during the COVID-19 pandemic, me and my siblings often missed assignments and even classes due to internet outages with our provider. It can be disparaging, and I think many people don’t truly understand the extent of just how bad coverage is in some of these areas.”
Corbett said it’s exciting to be a part of the effort to find solutions for broadband challenges in rural areas and to provide consumers with a voice.
“Our work is truly getting to the heart of the problem — accurately documenting what rural households are receiving from their existing internet service provider versus what those providers report to the FCC and the state,” she said. “I have firsthand experience with inadequate internet access and the difficulties it causes for me as a student and my family. Going to residential, anchor institution and business consumers in all 13 communities and asking them what they are experiencing and paying will provide a much more accurate picture for state and federal broadband officials regarding the realities of inadequate connectivity.”
Hilbert also expanded on why he thinks this research is important and why families need reliable access to the internet.
“No matter who you talk to, the answer is often universal in that people in these communities have terrible service, and it is not always as simple as not streaming your favorite show,” he said. “These are diverse communities, with people working remotely who need network access for their jobs, or families with children who all need the internet to complete their homework assignments and access educational resources. For them, it’s their livelihood, and it’s heartbreaking to hear how so many people have been left behind in a world that’s moving faster than ever in a digital direction.”
Hands-on Experience
The hands-on nature of the research by ECU students is an invaluable experience that prepares them for careers.
“I’ve honed my communication skills and gained a deeper understanding of community needs on a local level. I aspire to have a career that helps me improve lives through social research, and this internship has significantly advanced that goal,” said Bobbitt. “My studies at ECU reinforced my passion for making a positive impact, and my minor in political science further broadened my perspective. This experience has enabled me to actively engage in community and political processes, setting a strong foundation for my future career.”
“This field survey work and outreach has given me a much broader perspective on the challenges and social consequences of poor connectivity, and in many cases none at all,” said Corbett. “I have learned a lot about how federal grant programs and awards are issued and administered and how these funds play such a vital role in supporting the economic development goals of rural communities in eastern North Carolina. I have also had the chance to meet with numerous locally elected officials who care deeply about these issues.”
“I hope that with this experience, I will have the opportunity to work in federal government focusing on rural economic development, broadband access and deployment and community engagement programs that help transform the quality of life for thousands of disadvantaged households,” she said.