This study presents evidence about the direct and indirect economic effects of the rural telecommunications industry. The direct effects consider the industry from the perspective of national income accounting (the approach used to calculate the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) measure). The indirect economic effects are not measured in income accounting.

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President Donald Trump shakes hands with President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen as he announces a trade deal with the EU at Trump Turnberry golf club on July 27, 2025, in Turnberry, Scotland. (Andrew Harnik via Getty Images)