The Internet: Who Can Live without it?

February 25th, 2010

In today’s world, billions of people benefit from utilizing the internet on a daily basis.  It has become an integral part of their careers and means of communication.  In the United States, according to Nielson Market Research Online, as of August 2009, roughly 74% of the country uses the internet.  There remains a quarter of the population who are not using the internet.

An article published this week by LocalTechWire drew attention to some of these statistics.  In a study conducted by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), the results indicated that the internet home audience of all southern states falls under 60%. 

Larry Strickling, head of the NTIA, believes that we’ve reached “a point where high-speed access to the Internet is critical to the ability of people to be successful in today’s economy and society at large.” 

Broadband deployment and adoption is one of the critical issues that the much-anticipated national broadband plan is aiming to undertake.   It will be interesting to see what the recommendations are when the FCC releases the plan on March 17, 2010.

Georgia Senate Takes First Step Towards Updating Telecom Laws

February 10th, 2010

House Bill 168 passed yesterday in the Senate with a notable majority of 46-4.  The bill is geared towards modernizing Georgia telecom laws to better reflect the constantly changing technology advancements and to level the playing field amongst providers to ensure fair play.

The CDF survey conducted with Insider Advantage indicated public support of telecom modernization and in passing the bill, the legislators echoed constituent sentiments.

CDF supports the passage of this legislation and the opportunities for investment and job creation in Georgia that it prompts.

New Survey Finds Georgia Voters Want Updated Telecom Laws

February 8th, 2010

Citizens for a Digital Future (CDF) recently conducted a study with Insider Advantage in an effort to gauge the perspective of the Georgia voters on the current state of telecom in Georgia.  The results show that Georgians prefer a telecom marketplace where all companies are on an even playing field.

Half of Georgians want all companies to be free of regulation and almost two-thirds (65%) of those surveyed said they opposed government regulation and financial involvement of private business.

The study found that 58% of respondents are “somewhat against” or “against” current telecom regulations that require the customers of larger phone companies to pay a subsidy to smaller phone companies to cover the difference in the cost of instate long distance calls made by the customers of these smaller companies.  Additionally, the survey found that 60% of Georgia voters surveyed favored legislation that would reduce, over time, the amount paid by customers of larger phone companies to subsidize both in-state long distance and basic telephone service to customers of smaller phone companies.

By modernizing the current laws to gradually end these unfair practices over time, Georgia lawmakers can pass legislation that will spark investment by companies in broadband and new technologies.  The result could be a Georgia that continues to lead in broadband advancement.

For a brief snapshot of the poll numbers, go here.

CDF Weighs In On the Benefits of Updating Telecom Laws in Georgia

February 8th, 2010

Last week, the Atlantic Journal Constitution featured a letter to the editor from John Watson.  In the letter Watson highlights the importance of increased broadband deployment as a means for job creation.  Please click here and scroll to the bottom to read the letter.

This week, the Macon Telegraph features an op-ed by Watson that explains the many advantages of updating Georgia’s telecom laws.   The proposed telecom modernization and access reform legislation in Georgia would lead to an “open regulatory environment, which would have the effect of expanding broadband,” Watson explains.  He continues, “Broadband expansion engages both businesses and the individual, profiting not just companies, but doctors and patients, or teachers and students.  The passage of the new legislation offers room for growth and development in these tough economic times.”  To read Watson’s piece in its entirety, please click here.