However, many smaller cities and even rural counties are going ahead with their own plans for municipal, public Wi-Fi. As of Vos' last count in August, 400 U.S. communities were in some stage of broadband service creation, from the pioneers with systems running to communities selecting a vendor. Many, she said, such as the farming community of Highland, Ill., are motivated by the lack of high-speed Internet connectivity or a lack of competition, allowing a single provider to charge high fees for services that many need for their small businesses and agribusinesses.