Mandel’s memo observes that while millions of jobs that have been lost across the country in the last three years, employment at Internet companies has increased by 13 percent and wireless telecom carriers and the computer systems design industry have also been adding jobs at a steady pace.  In order for these industries to continue to flourish, however, there must be an appropriate regulatory environment both at the national level and here in the states.  Mandel does not blindly advocate for either stringent or lax regulations on the communications sector, but instead, proposes that the communications industry must be allowed to develop unfettered, and to only revisit the idea of regulations when it is fully established as an economic force.  Mandel has gleaned this lesson from the success that the Internet has had in the past few decades.  Mandel’s findings suggest the importance of having a regulatory environment that will allow the communications industry to grow.  Not only does the communications industry have a potential to be a jobs leader, as Mandel asserts, but growth among the communications sector means more innovation and investment in broadband and other digital technologies and that is a win for consumers.

To read Mandel’s policy memo in full, please click here.

“From Johannesburg to Miami,” Diaz explained, “new technologies allow us to connect in ways never thought possible and provide us with new opportunities to interact with other countries and cultures.”  

To ensure that more communities can be connected, Diaz suggests both private sector investment and smarter government policies.  Diaz fears, however, of heavy-handed federal regulations, which threaten to stymie job creation, stall much-needed investment and raise prices for consumers will thwart opportunities for states at a local level to update legislation of yesterday to support to growing Internet today.   With all the opportunities that broadband presents to consumers, it is important to foster an environment that recruits investment and supports total connectivity.  

This holds true not only from a federal perspective, but also a state and local perspective.  In order to allow broadband to thrive and connectivity to increase in the states, there needs to be a regulatory environment that  encourages broadband investment and deployment.  Just this year, Georgia updated its regulatory structure as it applies to broadband and telecommunications, and as a result, has opened up an environment where broadband will continue to grow.  Other states looking to increase their broadband capabilities could certainly learn from Georgia’s example.

To read Diaz’s full piece, please click here.

An article posted on PC World suggested that the increase that the study observed in wireless Internet access for leisure and entertainment purposes is likely attributed to the explosive popularity of smartphones.  The study also highlights an increasing trend in minority wireless broadband users:  “Nearly two-thirds of African-Americans (64%) and Latinos (63%) are wireless internet users, and minority Americans are significantly more likely to own a cell phone than their white counterparts.”  CDF’s Ray O’Connell recently wrote a letter to the editor that ran in the Ocala Star Banner applauding states with updated policies that allow new technologies such as wireless broadband to expand.  O’Connell’s letter commends the government’s plans to increase spectrum, noting “the additional spectrum should go a long way toward assuring that all wireless broadband providers will be able to meet the exploding demands of their customers.”  With the ability to connect literally in the palm of our hands, it is no wonder that more and more people are joining the world of Wi-Fi. 

To read the full Pew report, please click here.

Last week, an article that ran in the Ocala Star Banner announced President Obama signing a presidential memorandum stating a plan to auction 500 megahertz of spectrum for mobile broadband use.  CDF’s Senior Advisor, Ray O’Connell, submitted a letter to the editor applauding the administration for facilitating increased availability of wireless spectrum.  O’Connell noted that, “the additional spectrum should go a long way toward assuring that all wireless broadband providers will be able to meet the exploding demands of their customers.”  Looking ahead, O’Connell emphasized the importance of modernizing outdated telecommunications regulatory structures in Florida, which,  will, “encourage investment in broadband and digital technologies,” as well as support a competitive marketplace to benefit consumers.  

To read the full letter, please click here.

The comprehensive map identifies the many states that support robust broadband development and have taken the necessary steps to increase adoption and access.   Additionally, the broadband map pinpoints the regions that have room for improvement.  An important step that many states have taken in support of broadband deployment is to modernize telecom legislation to encourage broadband investment and much needed job creation.  CDF supports states in updating their telecom laws and hopes that other states will recognize the value of broadband in their communities to help support future growth and development. 

To check out the full report, please click here.  To see a map of how broadband in your state measures up to other states, please click here.

CDF’s Senior Advisor, Ray O’Connell, submitted a letter to the editor in response to the guest column.  O’Connell  offers a crucial solution to the unemployment and economy equation.  Specifically, he suggests that by updating Florida’s telecom laws to reflect modern day technologies and encourage private investment  in broadband infrastructure, the Florida economy will flourish, “benefiting everyone”.

To read O’Connell’s suggestions for job growth in Florida, please click here.

Out of the ubiquity of the Internet, life as (most of us) know it has changed significantly.  An article that ran in the News-Star this week discussed the importance of broadband connections for maintaining sustainable and thriving communities .   “Broadband,” the piece mentions, 

“creates solutions for communities that may not have access to health care, qualified teachers and  educational  programs,  small business growth and development opportunities, and can link local law enforcement agencies to national information grids.”

As the article states, broadband is a great connector for many facets of life, which is why it is important to foster environments that attract investment in broadband which will ensure that all consumers are able to enjoy the many benefits of broadband.  To read the full piece, please click here.

On April 19, the Georgia General Assembly passed HB 168, the Telecom Jobs and Investment Act with strong support, and last week, Governor Perdue signed the act into law.  Citizens for a Digital Future commends both the Governor and the state legislature for taking great strides in modernizing their telecommunications market.   

HB 168 updates Georgia telecom laws to reflect the constantly changing digital technologies and recruits vital private investment in broadband infrastructure.  Increased investment means more jobs and opportunities for Georgians to return to the workplace. 

Citizens for a Digital Future would like to applaud the Georgia General Assembly and Governor Perdue for passing this legislation and leading Georgia into the future.

SB 3880/HB 3796 will grant the municipalities the ability to compete with the private sector in an attempt to provide broadband to more Tennesseans.  While increased broadband access is crucial to reviving the Tennessee marketplace, government owned broadband networks hurt broadband consumers and the Tennessee taxpayers.  Moreover, they have backfired in the past. 

In 2007, Memphis’ taxpayer-owned public utility invested roughly $30 million in a municipal broadband network, Memphis Networx, under the auspices of helping expand broadband access.  Networx squandered millions of Tennessee consumers’ hard-earned dollars without a demonstrated result.  A study released last year observed that,

“the biggest problem with municipal projects is that they commit taxpayer money to projects that nearly always  run over budget for construction, are not financially sustainable once they are built, and rely on future subsidies.” 

It is disheartening to think that Tennessee legislators would support a program that would increase the budget deficit and consequentially place an additional burden on taxpayers.  CDF supports a competitive broadband market, which is vital for helping our state economy grow, and helping Tennesseans to return to the workplace.   

The Tennessee consumers cannot afford to make the same mistake twice.