According to a recently published USDA study, more farmers in rural areas are adopting Internet access. Additionally, there's also a positive correlation between a farm's Internet connection speed and their revenue.

However, it's estimated that around 30% of US farms and ranches still lack access to fast broadband Internet - a sharp contrast to the 8% that lack access in more urban areas. 

Socket is investing substantial time and resources toward improving its DSL services through the use of new technology and equipment. While many in the telecommunications industry are trumpeting the death of copper for delivering high-speed Internet, Socket continues to find ways to meet its customers’ needs where copper is the most cost effective way to provide service. Known as VDSL, for “Very High Bit Rate DSL,” the upgraded service enables Socket to offer improved connection speeds to businesses and homes.

Socket participated in an international research and development conference in Washington D.C. Its goal: to continue to operate on the leading edge of telecom and Internet technology.

The conference, called SIPNOC for Session Initiation Protocol for Network Operations Centers, focuses on the advancement of Internet Protocol or IP communication products and services. Brian Taylor, Socket’s Outside Network Administrator attended the three-day conference among the top minds in technology world.