TVA Rural Studies

Telecommunications and Rural Development:
Threats and Opportunities

Edwin B. Parker
Parker Telecommunications
May 1996

12. Conclusion

It is never easy to navigate safely a difficult transition from the known to the unknown, particularly when the participants are reluctant to change or to take risks. Nevertheless, once rural communities understand that preserving the past as it was is no longer a viable option, most will rise to the challenge of using new information technologies to better their lives and communities. Those communities interested in rural development will understand that there is no simple magic way to improve rural economies, and that telecommunications technology and applications can play an important role in helping revitalize rural communities. The path will be difficult, but the rewards should be worth the risks.

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