High speed Internet access remains a challenge in rural areas of the United States. To close this digital gap, the demand for technicians in fiber optic installation has grown, a booming profession with well -paid employment opportunities.
In the 21st century, high -speed Internet access has become a fundamental need, almost at the same level as basic services such as water or electricity.
According to official US census data, approximately 7 % of the territory still lacks access to a quick connection, defined as discharge speeds of at least 25 megabits per second (MBPS) and 3 Mbps rise.
This situation disproportionately affects rural communities, where 26.9 % of households have no access to these speeds, compared to only 1.4 % in urban areas.
The lack of high -speed connection not only limits the opportunities for economic and educational development in the affected areas, but also promoted new strategies to close the digital divide. One of the most notable responses has been the growing demand for specialized technicians in the installation and maintenance of fiber optic infrastructure, a booming profession that attracts young people in search of job stability and good salaries.
The challenge of connectivity in rural areas
The lack of high -speed Internet access in the US rural areas has multiple causes, but one of the main ones is the difficulty of carrying the fiber optic infrastructure to areas of low population density.
“The fiber optic installation has been mainly concentrated in urban areas in recent years, because it is easier and more profitable,” said Jesús Lebeña, Vice President of Operations of MASTEC, one of the main telecommunications service companies in the country.
In spite of everything, he admitted that “in rural areas it is more complicated, because the distance between communities is greater and the installation costs are high”, although in recent years the efforts have been intensified to “bring high -speed internet to these regions, because we know how important it is for its development.”
Access to a quick connection not only facilitates communication, but also opens the door to better educational opportunities, telemedicine and economic growth, among others. Even so, professionals in the sector recognize that “the challenge is complex and requires a trained workforce” to deal with market needs.
A new labor opportunity in the fiber optic industry
Given the growing demand for telecommunications infrastructure, opportunities for those interested in working in this sector have increased significantly. In the south of Florida, for example, the Miami Dade College (MDC) has launched a certification program for high -speed Internet installers, designed to prepare students with the necessary skills for this expanding field.
“This program began in response to the great shortage of fiber optic technicians, not only in our county, but at the state and national level,” he explained to the Voice of America, Sunyen Lee, member of the Department of Continuing Education of the MDC.
The program, which combines theory with practice in the country
“Our curriculum is robust and aligned with the needs of the industry. A graduate can start earning approximately $ 50,000 a year, demonstrating that it is a profession with a lot of future, ”he added.
“I have found my chance”
One of the first graduates of this program is Francisco Rodríguez, a Venezuelan immigrant who arrived in Florida three years ago in search of better opportunities. With 35 years, Francisco already had experience in the field of fiber optic installation, but did not have the necessary certification to advance his career. Upon knowing the MDC course, he did not hesitate to register.
“I needed a certification to improve my opportunities. The course was excellent, they gave us new tools and we learned a lot in just one month,” said happy because it now has “better perspectives” and could “aspire to grow within the company.”
The young man, who studied business administration in Venezuela, never imagined that his future would be in the telecommunications industry. However, he acknowledged that this opportunity has changed his life.
“It is a work that is worth it, 100 % recommended. Not only allows you to have economic stability, but also open many doors. As an immigrant, getting here and finding such a chance is something that I appreciate very much,” he said.
The future of the sector and the need for more technicians
The growth of the telecommunications industry shows no slowdown signs. With the expansion of 5G technology and the growing need for high speed data, the demand for fiber optic technicians will continue to increase.
“We hope that in the next ten years there will be a lot of work in this sector. This is a career with professional growth opportunities, where young people can start from the installation and, over time, to lead companies in the industry,” Lebeña added.
Despite the opportunities, the challenge remains to attract more people to these training programs.
“For many years, there was a belief that the only way to succeed was to go to university and get a traditional title. But now we see that there is a great need for technicians in various areas, including fiber optics. In addition, these works offer good salaries and job stability, something that many young people are looking for,” concluded the MDC spokeswoman.