The paradox of the digital era is that the internet exists, but not for everyone.
According to recent research from BroadbandNow, in some rural U.S. states, more than 30 percent of households still lack broadband access because they cannot afford a subscription. This affordability gap highlights the distance between available infrastructure and people’s financial ability to use it. The challenge stands out even more amid record federal investments. According to estimates from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), tens of billions of dollars in federal funding have been allocated to expand fiber infrastructure through the BEAD, ReConnect, and Tribal Broadband Connectivity programs. However, FCC data indicate that more than 24 million Americans still lack reliable access to high-speed broadband, and affordability remains a major barrier for many households.
In regions where major carriers see little incentive to build networks, the work is being taken on by specialized infrastructure companies. One example is ABG Link, led by Aleksei Seto, which shows how federal broadband initiatives translate into concrete projects and real change within small communities.
Infrastructure Does Not Equal Access
Federal programs like BEAD and the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program aim to build networks in areas where private companies are reluctant to invest because of low population density or challenging terrain. However, as many in the industry note, having a cable nearby does not always mean a home can afford to connect.
“You can build a good network, but if people can’t afford to use it, it doesn’t really work. The goal is not just to run cables but to make sure people can actually get connected,” says Aleksei Seto, project manager and founder of ABG Link.
Of course, developing new technologies is important. But just as important are expanding infrastructure and keeping internet services affordable. Notably, Aleksei Seto, through his company ABG Link, has already shown how this can be done. In Oregon, the team built over 100 miles of fiber-optic lines, bringing reliable and affordable internet to remote areas. Thanks to this project, more than 20,000 people now have access to fast and affordable internet. The work continues in Bainbridge, GA, where hundreds of families already enjoy stable online access.
Engineering Practicality Over Economic Barriers
Aleksei Seto says that bringing the internet to remote areas takes money and good planning. To speed up construction and cut costs, he uses practical technical methods. Drones help pull lines across rivers and ravines, and drilling tools allow crews to work on rocky ground without hiring other companies.
He adds that connecting remote areas also takes teamwork and trust. Through his company ABG Link, he works with local governments and tribal councils to make broadband accessible and affordable. One example is a project supported by a federal NTIA grant under the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program. Aleksei Seto helped build fiber lines in communities like Conehatta, bringing the internet to places that had no connection before.
“We just wanted to make sure every community could get connected,” Seto says. “By teaming up with local leaders and using practical methods, we’ve brought the internet to homes that never had it before.”
For many residents, the change has been truly life-changing.
“Before, we had no way to get online, and even phone service was weak,” says one local resident. “Now everything is different. My kids can study, take online classes, and do homework without problems. We can talk to our family, share photos, watch movies together, and I can even work from home when I need to. The internet is fast, stable, affordable, and easy to use. We use it for school, work, streaming, gaming, smart home devices, and to keep up with what’s happening in the world. During emergencies, the connection also helps our community centers and shelters stay in contact. It really feels like we’re part of the world.”
When Connectivity Builds Communities
In rural regions, reliable internet access strengthens local communities and supports long-term development.
The study “Beyond Connectivity: The Role of Broadband in Rural Economic Growth and Resilience” shows that rural areas with good internet access do better than those with poor connections. When more than 80% of people use broadband, there are 213% more new businesses. Internet access makes it easier to start a business, so self-employment grows by 10%.
“For me as an entrepreneur, it’s important that we give people the opportunity to work. The internet helps entrepreneurs find customers, promote their products, develop online sales, and collaborate with people from different places. It makes businesses less dependent on big cities and opens up more opportunities for remote work,” says Seto.
It also helps the local economy: GDP grows by 44%, and people’s income increases by 18%.
“The impact is clear,” Seto says. “Reliable broadband is changing lives in tribal communities. As broadband becomes more accessible, daily life changes. People can use public services without traveling long distances. They can access doctors, teachers, and markets that were once out of reach. In regions served by my company, the number of users of digital public platforms has nearly doubled in a year.”
An example of how this goal is being achieved is a project in Neshoba County, Mississippi. Seto helped bring high-speed internet to more than 2,200 homes and small businesses. Before that, the area had almost no connection. Now residents, including members of the Choctaw Nation tribe, can study online, get medical help, and work close to home. For Seto, the internet means giving people equal opportunities and helping small communities grow.
A partner of ABG Link in Oregon notes that after broadband reached Jackson County, local farms began using online platforms for procurement and sales, while small businesses started taking orders through social media. For that community, connectivity created more jobs than years of grant aid.
In Mississippi, ABG Link’s project in the Choctaw Indian reservation enabled schools to move to online courses and local clinics to offer telemedicine services, improving education, healthcare, and community life.
Smarter Growth, Not Just Expansion
Before becoming one of the key figures in rural broadband development in the United States, Aleksei Seto gained strong experience in project management and engineering in Russia. He graduated from Saint Petersburg State Transport University with a Master’s degree in Business Management and Economics. Aleksei managed large industrial projects in construction and maintenance and helped launch new production lines. Later, these skills became essential for developing broadband networks in remote regions across America.
Talented and experienced, Aleksei Seto is a member of the Rural Broadband Association (since 2023) and the Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband Coalition (since 2025) — two key organizations shaping U.S. broadband policy. His involvement reflects a strong commitment to improving national connectivity and contributing to industry standards. Seto’s goal is to scale ABG Link while keeping it flexible, adding new capabilities such as underground construction and wireless network design. This will allow the company to manage full-cycle projects, from planning to customer connection. The focus remains the same: closing not only the coverage gap but also the affordability gap that separates infrastructure from real access.
Aleksei Seto’s work with ABG Link shows how focused engineering and local insight can reshape entire communities. His projects carry clear public value and national importance, bringing reliable internet to homes, schools, and small businesses that have long gone without it. By expanding broadband where it’s needed most, Seto helps more communities get online and makes digital access a reality across the country.
