Bob Panoff Community Needs & Technology Choice Subscribe to Newsletter Tell a Friend Print this Page 11/20/2007 White Paper Offers Guidance for Statewide Wireless Initiatives Several states have initiated programs “for the purpose of implementing a statewide wireless broadband network”, including Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, South Carolina, and Vermont, with more in the discussion stage. These statewide programs exhibit a number of different priorities, but connectivity in under-served rural areas is the practical number one priority for most. As I’ve noted in previous postings, many believe that the right planning and strategies will make these projects successful and cut a path for the healthy development of "community" broadband. Even though the press has highlighted some notable growing pains among community wireless network projects, the empirical facts show, quite simply, that these community networks provide citizens and businesses the low-cost broadband access they want, save lives, make first responders more productive, improve the efficiency of government workers, and much more. States and local government usually have largest number of workers employed within the network coverage area, so the long term savings provided through the delivery of more cost-effective public services contributes significantly to the financial sustainability of these networks. Realistic and successful community wireless models do exist and work. Regardless of whether community broadband wireless networks are provisioned by a city or a carrier and whether their purpose is improved public safety, stronger economic development, or more broadband Internet access, they are working. To help, take a look at my new white paper, “An Approach to Statewide Wireless Networks”. back Related Items: • York County, PA • W2i Announces 3rd Annual Best Practices Awards Winners • EarthLink Scaling Back, Focuses Muni Wi-Fi Effort • Spaniards Ask, Is Wireless Internet a Private Business or Universal Right? • Tallahassee `08 Comments No records were found. Post new comment: Only registered users can add comments. Please Log-in

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