America is massive. Not only geographically, but also culturally, academically, and professionally. One semester can bring a visiting lecturer from Boston to Austin. Maybe you experience a student exchange that brings you to Chicago, and a trip to California could be undertaken as part of research. Even a brief educational conference may encompass several states, campuses, and cities.
Connectivity is more than a luxury in a country that moves this fast and is this vast. It's basic infrastructure. You'll need a reliable mobile connection just to manage daily life.

