Benefits of Personal Communication (via the Web) Seriously Underrated

As we work to get more broadband around the state, and around the country, you often hear about the economic impact of broadband – the jobs made possible through access, the training and educational opportunities, the increased possibilities for local governments and healthcare, etc., etc.

But, in taking a break from all the economic stimulus talk, sometimes it seems we skip over the most fundamental aspect of broadband – simply providing a vehicle for personal communication. While this benefit may seldom come up during policy debates about public funding, it is still of valid importance.

In thinking of how we communicate with colleagues, friends and family, most of us have reached a point where our most constant communication is done over e-mail. It is simple really – by e-mail, we can reach a lot more people, in a lot less time. Do you have famiy or friends overseas or on the other side of the country? Well, you probably use VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) to talk with them. In this instance, it’s actually better than phone service because folks can use video as well. (Hey – pictures are great, but how else would you have such a great opportunity to see how quickly your nieces are growing?)

Then there’s Facebook. Talk to almost anyone using this and you’ll hear them go wild over how many unexpected (or forgotten, lost) friends they have suddenly and joyfully reconnected with. You now get to easily keep up with each other day-to-day, even if you haven’t actually spoken to them in years! Maybe these examples are too personal, but we would venture to say that many people would give up their televisions or cell phones before giving up their broadband access.

Some experts have argued that Internet-based communication erodes people’s ability to interact well in-person. But the personal communication aspects of broadband rank tremendously high for many people, above and beyond the obvious economic benefits of connectivity. It’s hard to imagine not having broadband access, and even harder to realize that so many people around the state don’t have this communication tool available.

Rural entrepreneur finds success with New Ventures Business Development, Inc.

Sheri Bowers, owner of Bowers Family Studios in Wadesboro, N.C. (Anson County), talks about how her small business got started and why the community must continue to support New Ventures Business Development, Inc. as a key strategy for local economic development.

Broadband in Rural N.C. - Looking at the 2007 numbers

In North Carolina, there are nine telephone membership cooperatives, six privately-held telephone companies, six publicly-held telephone companies and one municipal telephone company. Here’s how their Internet service breaks down:

The telephone membership cooperatives serve approximately 4 percent of the access lines in North Carolina and have made DSL service available to 98 percent of their subscribers (note: a number of them make service available to 100 percent of their subscribers).

The six privately-held companies serve approximately 6 percent of the access lines in North Carolina and make DSL service available to 98 percent of their subscribers.

The one municipal group serves approximately 0.05 percent of the state’s access lines and has made DSL service available to 100 percent of subscribers.

But here’s the real story…

The six publicly-held companies serve approximately 90 percent of the access lines in North Carolina (and actually, two significant companies in that mix serve 88 percent of the lines). Combined, the six publicly-held companies make DSL service available to approximately 80 percent of the access lines in the state. These companies are now headquartered outside of the state and financial decisions on deployment of specific telecommunications services are now mostly made at that corporate level.

There are approximately 600,000 households in North Carolina that do not have access to any type of high-speed Internet service, and most of these households are in rural communities. As an economy, we’ve long-since passed the point where Internet is a luxurious or insignificant pastime for people with disposable income. It is a utility and a basic infrastructure – no different from water, sewer, roads and electricity.

So, how do citizens solve the problem of not having service?

Call customer service?
Many citizens tell us that this doesn’t work, even when they are armed with community petitions that beg and plead for service.

Escalate the issue to someone higher up in the company?
Again, many citizens tell us that this also does not work, but we always suggest that they continue to try.

Call the Utilities Commission?
By law, they don’t regulate Internet services.

What’s left?
Contact your state and federal representatives. They are the only ones that can bring about a change in the way companies operate. (For example, they can provide incentives to nonprofit, private and public sector providers to encourage deployment to homes and businesses.) Always remember that your elected officials are in a position of power – but only by virtue of your vote.

InternetforEveryone.org Town Hall Series Coming to North Carolina

InternetforEveryone.org - a national initiative of groups that are working to bring the benefits of a fast, affordable and open Internet connection to everyone in America - will hold its second town hall meeting on March 7 in Durham. This event is part of a nationwide series designed to give local citizens a seat at the table as new leadership shapes America ʼs broadband future.

WHAT: InternetforEveryone.org Town Hall Meeting
WHEN: Saturday, March 7, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
WHERE: Durham Marriott Convention Center, 201 Foster St., Durham

High-speed Internet, or "broadband," is becoming a crucial public necessity - but more than 40 percent of all U.S. homes are not connected or use slow "dial-up" technology. To address this digital divide, President Barack Obama has vowed to "expand broadband lines across America," and Congress is poised to spend billions on broadband as part of its economic stimulus bill. InternetforEveryone.org will deliver feedback from the Durham town hall meeting to the Obama administration and Congress as a national guide to building a better Internet.

"Leadership in Washington has made Internet for everyone a national priority," said Timothy Karr, campaign director of Free Press, the organizer of InternetforEveryone.org." But getting everyone connected wonʼt happen overnight. In North Carolina alone, more than 3.5 million citizens are without high-speed access. Building an open, fast, affordable Internet is a process that requires true public participation. Washington must listen to the people of Durham , and others across the country, in order to build an Internet that works for all Americans."

For more information, visit www.InternetforEveryone.org/Events/Durham.

Lacking broadband infrastructure in western N.C.

Andrea R., a telecommunications business consultant in Jackson County, shares her perspective on the need for connectivity in western North Carolina and industry's lack of willingness to provide it. These comments were shared at a public meeting about poor Internet access in North Carolina.

Lacking broadband infrastructure in N.C. - Piedmont Comm. College, Caswell County

Lionell Parker, librarian at Piedmont Community College in Yanceyville, Caswell County, shares his story about the challenges of life without broadband at a public meeting about poor Internet access in North Carolina.

Lacking broadband infrastructure in N.C. - Caswell County

Mary Farmer, a senior citizen in Caswell County, shares her story about the challenges of life without broadband at a public meeting about poor Internet access in North Carolina.