The Hidden Cost of Slow Internet: Lost Time, Lost Creativity, Lost Income

Whether it’s learning, work, or business, the way we perform each of these things has become more and more dependent on the internet over time.

Remote work and remote learning are on the rise, and cost-effective business models such as dropshipping continue to propel digital entrepreneurship.

Sadly, despite being one of the most technologically advanced nations on the planet, many in America don’t have access to high-speed internet, leading to a lot of lost opportunities.

In this article, I’ll dive deep into this unfavorable phenomenon by exploring:

• Digital Divide – All You Should Know

• Slow Internet – The Impacts on Key Members of Society

• Steps to Overcome the Effects of Slow Internet in America

• Overcoming the Impacts of Slow Internet – A Slow but Rewarding Process

Digital Divide – All You Should Know

The digital divide is the gap between those who have access to advanced technological and digital facilities, such as high-speed internet, computers, and smartphones, and those who don’t. This disparity stems from and is constantly growing due to a range of economic, geographical, and social factors. The results of this gap are highly unequal opportunities when it comes to key areas of life, such as education, jobs, healthcare, and even effectively participating in society.

Let’s explore what causes this divide before we dive into who it impacts and how.

What Causes the Digital Divide?

The primary reason behind the digital divide is the low incomes that a lot of households, in many urban and rural areas, face. A lower income reduces access to high-speed (and often pricey) internet services, electronic tools such as laptops and phones, and various digital platforms.

Another reason, particularly for rural areas, is the geographical limitations. Most rural areas have geographical barriers, such as mountains, that make it difficult for providers to set up the necessary infrastructure to provide quality internet services.

All these factors collectively create a major limitation for many across America, which is being limited to slow internet services such as DSL or cable internet, with DSL rapidly becoming obsolete.

Being limited to such slow internet services in turn creates another chain of impact for a range of individuals in various ways. This includes students, workforce members, and entrepreneurs.

Let’s now explore how each of these key members of society is impacted by slow internet services.

Slow Internet – The Impacts on Key Members of Society

I’ve explored the ways that slow internet impacts each category of individuals mentioned above. From lack of access to educational resources to poor customer service and everything in between, let’s dive in.

The Impact of Slow Internet on Students

For students, the main impacts of slow internet services are the 3 mentioned below:

• Lack of Access to Educational Resources & Platforms.

• Difficult Online Collaborations.

• Reduced Digital Literacy.

Let’s explore each of them in more detail.

Lack of Access to Educational Resources & Platforms

In today’s time and age, students need to access a range of educational resources to think outside the box, understand different perspectives, and sharpen their analytical skills. Many such resources are available online, but to make the most of them, a fast and reliable internet connection is necessary.

Additionally, many schools, colleges, and universities are using digital platforms to streamline the grading or assignment submission process and unlock higher efficiency.

Being limited to slow internet connections can make it time-consuming for students to access such resources and platforms, and turn what is supposed to be a convenient learning experience into a negative one. For example, students may not be able to complete and submit their assignments on time, leading to poorer grades.

Difficult Online Collaborations

To learn to work as part of a team, students may have to collaborate with each other on assignments and projects. Since this is not always possible in person, online collaborations become the method of choice. Slow internet connections can make such collaborations difficult and frustrating for students.

They may not be able to share their thoughts or benefit from valuable peer feedback. It may also lead to lower collaboration opportunities in the future, as peers may not view them as ideal participants and exclude them from future discussions.

Reduced Digital Literacy

Digital literacy is being adept at using various online platforms, tools, and electronic devices. Slow internet can hinder students’ ability to develop digital literacy, as they do not have the fundamental requirement to effectively explore and experiment with such platforms and devices.

This can lead to many potential drawbacks as students progress in their academics, as many institutions expect a certain degree of digital literacy when students reach a certain point. Students may struggle in adjusting to a tech-based learning system as their academics progress to a college and university level.

Additionally, this could also either change the course of their career path or make it difficult for them to navigate through it, as most industries also demand a certain level of digital literacy when screening applicants.

The Impact of Slow Internet on Workers

As businesses embrace digital transformations to keep up with the competition, having a solid connectivity framework is key to ensuring continuity. When slow internet comes into the picture, this impacts employees in various ways, the most crucial ones being the ones below:

• Reduced Productivity

• Fewer Remote Work Opportunities

Reduced Productivity

The reason businesses use various online tools or platforms is to improve employee productivity and efficiency across multiple business functions. Being limited to slow internet services can make this job difficult for employees, instead leading to reduced productivity and negative impacts on performance.

Many time-sensitive tasks may be delayed due to a slow internet connection, leading to reduced productivity. For example, employees may not be able to share information in a timely manner, may lose crucial data, and may take longer to access required files. This is especially true for customer or client-facing tasks where each second could mean the difference between a long-term relationship and a lost case.

Fewer Remote Work Opportunities

One of the major requirements employers have when they’re planning to hire a remote resource is that the applicant has a fast and reliable internet connection. Each function of a remote job, from communication to project management, is performed entirely online, and many employers demand a screenshot of internet speed tests to prove you’re up to the mark.

A slow internet connection could significantly reduce your chances of landing a remote role, as it may directly impact the operational efficiency of a potential employer. This lack of remote opportunities could result in higher expenses, costs, and reduced work-life balance.

The Impact of Slow Internet on Businesses

As the target consumers of various industries spend time online, catching them where they are is highly essential, and you guessed it, highly dependent on the internet. A slow internet could create the following major challenges for businesses:

• Prevent Digital Transformations

• Lost Sales & Opportunities

• Diminished Competitive Edge

Prevent Digital Transformations

A digital transformation is the use of various digital tools and technologies to streamline and improve all business functions. The internet is the foundation of a successful digital transformation, and going ahead, many businesses will need to implement such transformations to stay afloat.

Being limited to slow internet connections can make such transformations much harder to implement or result in them being fruitless. Even if businesses manage to successfully train employees on how to use various digital tools and platforms, they will not yield much results if employees are unable to tap into their full potential.

Loss of Sales & Opportunities

Did you know that more than 3 billion people will buy online this year? Each of these buyers has a list of expectations from businesses, such as blazing-fast shopping experiences, for example. This means businesses need to have a strong internet connection in place at their backend.

A slow internet connection can result in slow order processing or dropped orders, and an unpleasant shopping experience for consumers. For example, if a new customer contacts the customer service chatbot on a website, they’re not looking to be stuck around for minutes trying to get a response. If faced with such a situation, they’ll immediately switch to the competition. Similarly, if a consumer reaches the checkout only for processing to take longer than expected, the end result is the same.

Diminished Competitive Edge

The two factors mentioned above collectively can reduce or prevent many businesses from developing a competitive edge in a digital landscape. If businesses are unable to implement high-speed connectivity and use the right digital tools, they may be overshadowed by the competition.

This puts many small to medium-sized businesses at risk. Larger businesses have access to better facilities and can invest more in digital infrastructure development if needed. For those with limited budgets, the situation gets disadvantageous.

It’s pretty clear that slow internet puts a lot of people in unfavorable circumstances. Unless certain steps are taken, this situation will continue to thrive.

The next section explores some courses of action that governments and providers can take to gradually provide better quality internet services to each home in America.

Steps to Overcome the Effects of Slow Internet in America

With a little collaboration, governments and internet providers can significantly overcome the effects of slow internet and give everyone an equal shot at success in a digital-first world.

These steps most notably include:

• Affordable Pricing Models

• Infrastructure Development

Affordable Pricing Models

To address the issue of low incomes among many American households, the first step is for internet service providers (ISPs) to offer affordable pricing models. This may result in more households being able to afford high-speed internet services such as fiber.

Some internet providers like Xfinity, for example, do this well. Xfinity internet prices are quite affordable, and they also offer a range of bundles and Spanish customer service, making it easier for low-income households and minorities to set up.

Infrastructure Development

This step can address the geographical limitations that prevent many areas in America from accessing the internet.

The way to work around this is for governments and internet service providers to collaborate, as investing in rural areas may not be a profitable venture for ISPs on their own. The government can allocate special funds for broadband infrastructure development, leading to a favorable situation for residents of rural areas as well as the internet service providers.

Overcoming the Impacts of Slow Internet – A Slow but Rewarding Process

The effects of slow internet make it difficult for many to pursue education, work productively, or keep their businesses afloat. Time to change that, one step at a time.

With internet service providers offering affordable pricing plans, bundles, and other facilities that make it easier for many to set up, many new households can enjoy a decent level of connectivity.

Additionally, partnerships between the government and ISPs to develop the needed infrastructure in rural areas can possibly turn dead zones into thriving hotspots.