There are many reasons why the U.S. really needs to invest in the technology that would make it possible for the whole country to have access to high-speed internet. For the next several posts, we’ll look at some of the best reasons for our need for speed up close, with information from Speed Matters.org .
When underserved communities gain access to high speed Internet, all Americans benefit from the increased level of education, economic advancement and health across the nation. High speed Internet access has become vital to the success of individuals and communities. Our nation’s commitment to equal economic opportunity, educational advancement, and democratic participation can only truly thrive if everyone has equivalent access to these critical communications networks. Closing the digital divide in America strengthens the entire country economically and socially.
The benefits of high-speed internet, alluded to above include:
• Education: With the accessibility of high speed broadband, students in the most impoverished inner-city neighborhoods and distant rural regions can take advantage of the same Internet resources as students in the most affluent suburbs. Living on a farm hours away from city libraries would no longer put students at an educational disadvantage.
• Economic Development: Broadband availability creates wealth and opportunity for underserved low-income areas by attracting businesses that want to locate near a high speed Internet network, such as IT and communications companies that can not operate competitively without broadband. A study by the Brookings Institution shows that for every percentage point increase in broadband penetration, employment expands with internet speed
by almost 300,000 jobs.
• Public Health: With a broadband connection, those without health insurance (who are more likely to live in areas without high speed Internet) could access general information about healthcare to manage their health and gain understanding of their condition(s) and options for care. Telemedicine offers cost-effective health care solutions for urban and rural residents.