Recently in the Broadband Access Category

The news for summer travelers has been grim this year.  Astronomical gas prices have some of us altering or even cancelling summer travel plans - the conversation heard all over the country is: "do we drive or fly - which one is less outrageously expensive?"  And those of us who are brave enough to step up to the plate and plan a flying vacation, we were then hit with the news that airlines are now going to start charging us up to $50 each per checked bag.

What? No more meals, dwindling legroom, and now, baggage fees?  Well, its broadband to the rescue for the airlines. American Airlines announced their plans to begin a trial of in-flight broadband service tomorrow. That's what I call a step in the right direction for the airline industry.

The first flights to test this service will be the NYC-LAX routes with plans for quick expansion to other transcontinental flights to San Francisco and Miami. Aircell LLC has been conducting test service of its technology with American Airlines for the past three months, and now they are ready to go live. On Wednesday, the service will be complimentary, but American will charge $12.95 per flight on all future flights for those of us who want to email, chat or google on our trips.

I've talked a lot on this blog about the hardcore economic benefits of broadband that come from applications like telecommuting and eMedicine. And while surfing the net in air may not be a critical application, it may be the boost customers need to enjoy their flight, as well as the boost airlines need to continue to attract customers. 
And with that, I'm off to an extended summer vacation myself. This will be my last entry on this blog. I've enjoyed chatting with many of you and having the opportunity to extol the virtues of broadband. I wish you all fast download speeds, free wireless and happy trails.

Those of us who have tirelessly promoted the message that broadband Internet access is critical to our economy, our competitiveness, our environment and our infrastructure continue to be vindicated in the media.  News stories about with reports of the cost savings and productivity gains that will be achieved if more Americans have broadband Internet access.  One of my favorites is a report from The American Consumer Institute that describes all the ways that wide adoption of broadband Internet access will be good for the environment. One of the highlights of this reports is a simple fact that states that reductions in first-class mail, as well as the plastics saved, by downloading music and video, could reduce emissions by 67.2 million tons over the next 10 years.  In addition, the report points out that increased telecommuting could save another 588 million tons over the next ten years.

While there are clearly countless ways to calculate the positive impact that reduced emissions resulting from deeper broadband penetration across the US, the bottom line is that under any scenario, all of us would benefit.  The Exaflood is coming and we need everyone to be prepared for it and ready to particpate in it.  This fundamental truth underscores IIA's core objective to advocate for increased broadband access across the US and support the work and solutions developed by groups like Connect Kentucky and One-Economy, which have successfully created mechanisms to bridge public-private programs and increase penetration in their targeted areas.

All too often on this blog, I point out problems that may arrive with the coming Exaflood, or I take time to acknowledge the many stakeholders that have not prepared adequately for the future. I've even directed you to a video or two that mock how absolutely crippled we would be if the Internet were ever to crash.  But today I need to ask you to check out a video of a different sort.

Connected Nation's, Computers 4 Kids program, recently released a video that features Lotez Holloway, a beneficiary of the program, and a foster care child who tells us that he has been in six homes and four high schools in five years. Through the program, Lotez now has a computer of his own, and in having that computer, has finally found some calm, stability and hope in his life. By having access to the same tools and technology as more fortunate children, Lotez is achieving in school and has big dreams for his future.

We in the corporate world tend to spout statistics and carefully crafted messages about how important computers and broadband are to the future of our economy, and to our quality of life. But what I love about this testimony is when Lotez, completely unscripted, says it so simply and perfectly.  When describing why having a computer is so essential now, he says, "it's like your pencil now."

It's like your pencil now. What else is there to say?  Kudos to Connected Nation, and their Computers 4 Kids programs, for having an impact on kids like Lotez. I look forward to sharing more of this kind of video with you.  

Earlier today, the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF) released a new study.  The study examines broadband performance and policies in the United States and other OECD countries.  While it concludes that the U.S. is behind in broadband, it also reports that about three-quarters of the difference in broadband performance from country-to-country is due to non-policy factors such as population density and market structure.  It observes that policy approaches that work effectively in one country, such as direct government subsidies for deployment, may not be suitable for another country.  It urges an end to the "either-or" shouting match in the U.S. and urges a combination of demand side and supply side polices to enhance U.S. broadband and spur adoption.

Just last week, Gov. Joe Manchin of West Virginia signed into law a bill that provides for extending broadband services in the state.  This is another step in the right direction and an example of the states taking the lead on real broadband deloyment.  Let's hope the feds will follow their lead.