For thousands of people in rural areas, high speed internet just isn't an option. But Tompkins County lawmakers are looking at ways to make broadband access available to everyone. Tamara Lindstrom tells us how.

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TOMPKINS COUNTY, N.Y. -- It's a sound many haven't heard in years: The crackling static of a dial up internet connection. But to some in rural areas, it's a daily frustration.

"When I was campaigning, this was an issue that came up over and over again as I knocked on doors and talked to people," said Tompkins County Legislator Patricia Pryor.

Pryor chairs the committee that's taking on the task of bringing broadband internet access to everyone in Tompkins County. Right now, about 4,700 homes can't get high speed internet. But that could change with the use of fixed wireless technology.

"Which means that there's a signal sent from a central site out to something like a cell tower, which then has a system on the cell tower that broadcasts the signal out to the households that are not served," Pryor explained.

Pryor said it's the cheapest option, at a cost of $300 to $800 per household. And the technology could be easily upgraded. Each household would still have to subscribe to the service, however, a cost some can't afford.

"So the other important piece of this whole effort rests right now with our libraries," Pryor said. "We think that continuing to upgrade those services that are available at the libraries is one of the ways we need to continue to make internet service available for everybody."

A goal the committee hopes to reach in a matter of years.

The county legislature is expected to vote on the recommendations next month. To see the committee's report, visit www.tompkins-co.org.