Improvements in computer chips and heightened accuracy in targeting wireless signals make wireless internet connections a feasible option, according to Alphabet Chairman Eric Schmidt, who discussed this technology at the company’s annual shareholder meeting Wednesday. Mr. Schmidt said Alphabet executives think the technology will be able to deliver internet connections at a speed of 1 gigabit per second, which is the same speed delivered via Google’s fiber-optic cables in five cities.
Enabling faster and more widespread internet connections could help increase access to healthcare in rural communities that may lack accessible healthcare facilities as well as IT capabilities that would enable them to connect with providers digitally.
For example, approximately 70 percent of the population in northwestern New Mexico does not have access to broadband services, diminishing the efforts of telemedicine services at LovelaceHealthCenter in Roswell, N.M., according to a 2015 report.
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