Because the government has decided that the existence and viability of rural communities is a policy goal in and of itself; and that basic telecommunications se

Because the government has decided that the existence and viability of rural communities is a policy goal in and of itself; and that basic telecommunications services are necessary for public safety and good government in such communities. See also USPS's Universal Service Obligation, which requires it to have a minimum level of service to every single address/user in the US. This is common in developed countries (e.g. the EU requires all its member states to have universal service for both post and telecommunications). China isn't there yet, but is working towards that goal.