Presumably these people are hooked up to the electrical grid, and if that is the case why isn't that equally uneconomical? Do they have phone lines?
Having people hooked up to fiber or at least DSL is in my experience often mostly a political issue.
BPL (Broadband over Powerline) also requires heavy investment [0]:
- Only low and medium voltage power cables can be used for access BPL. - Signals need booster equipment to make them travel long distances. - Transformers, circuit breakers, and surge protectors can interfere with broadband signals.
[0] https://www.explainthatstuff.com/broadbandoverpowerlines.htm...
Again, can't the exact same argument be made for why some citizens shouldn't be connected to the electrical grid?
While I don't dispute that electricity is more vital than a fiber connection, the point I'm trying to make is that this is primarily a political issue and not an economical one.
I don't think anyone was suggesting BPL as an alternative.
But again, no NA carrier I'm aware of is pushing out new DSL DSLAMs anywhere in the country or even building out copper capability at all in new neighborhoods. Its a legacy technology that isn't being invested in, for good or ill.