Recently, my young sons began watching a television program that is, essentially, an old-fashioned talent show. It has been amazing to watch with them as people of all walks of life step onto the stage and sing, dance, tell jokes and perform all sorts of interesting acts. So far, the Rubik’s Cube magician has been our biggest head-scratcher. The boys can’t wait to see him next.The biggest complaint at our house has been that we have to wait several weeks to see who might advance on to the next round of competition. Considering Google can tell us the answer to almost any conceivable question in just a fraction of a second, watching the show is teaching these young boys something they don’t come by as naturally as you or I did at their age: patience.
The biggest complaint at our house has been that we have to wait several weeks to see who might advance on to the next round of competition. Considering Google can tell us the answer to almost any conceivable question in just a fraction of a second, watching the show is teaching these young boys something they don’t come by as naturally as you or I did at their age: patience.Last fall, I encouraged you to participate in a broadband study being conducted by the state of Tennessee. Specifically, the study sought basic information about who has access to broadband, how they receive and use it and how the answers to these questions affect Tennessee’s economy. We now have the results.
Last fall, I encouraged you to participate in a broadband study being conducted by the state of Tennessee. Specifically, the study sought basic information about who has access to broadband, how they receive and use it and how the answers to these questions affect Tennessee’s economy. We now have the results.First, nearly 1 million Tennesseans lack access to modern broadband services. And that number could actually be even higher because of a limitation in the way this data is collected.
First, nearly 1 million Tennesseans lack access to modern broadband services. And that number could actually be even higher because of a limitation in the way this data is collected.Second, nearly all of the people who cannot get broadband live in rural areas. While not a surprise to those who live in Caney Creek or Chestnut Grove, the study found that 34 percent of rural Tennesseans lack access to broadband. Only 2 percent of urban citizens are left out.
Second, nearly all of the people who cannot get broadband live in rural areas. While not a surprise to those who live in Caney Creek or Chestnut Grove, the study found that 34 percent of rural Tennesseans lack access to broadband. Only 2 percent of urban citizens are left out.Third, broadband drives jobs. And without it, there is little hope for new economic development. To quote directly from the report:
Third, broadband drives jobs. And without it, there is little hope for new economic development. To quote directly from the report:“Availability and suitability of broadband
“Availability and suitability of broadband plays an important role in corporate decisions with 34 percent of businesses saying that broadband service was ‘essential’ in selecting their business location and 55.7 percent saying broadband is ‘essential’ for remaining in their current location. 15.5 percent of economic development agencies in Tennessee stated that businesses frequently chose not to locate in an area due to its broadband quality.”But
But lack of access doesn’t just affect businesses. Broadband availability is becoming an important factor in where people choose to live.Lastly, the report made a number of recommendations about how to improve the situation; nearly all would require changes in Tennessee’s law that the legislature would have to consider next January. The report specifically encourages an “open regulatory environment” where any entity could build telecommunications infrastructure. Not surprisingly, it notes
Lastly, the report made a number of recommendations about how to improve the situation; nearly all would require changes in Tennessee’s law that the legislature would have to consider next January. The report specifically encourages an “open regulatory environment” where any entity could build telecommunications infrastructure. Not surprisingly, it notes that, “In states where there are no restrictions, administrative burdens or regulatory limitations for any entity to build telecommunications infrastructure and offer services, there is more competition and more broadband investment, especially in rural parts of the state.”Much more detailed information is available — 172 pages worth, in fact. If you’d like to read more for yourself, download the report at tn.gov/ecd/
Much more detailed information is available — 172 pages worth, in fact. If you’d like to read more for yourself, download the report at tn.gov/ecd/section/broadband-survey. So, what have we learned? Broadband access is a problem. It is mostly a problem in rural areas, and the survival of rural communities is at stake.
So, what have we learned? Broadband access is a problem. It is mostly a problem in rural areas, and the survival of rural communities is at stake.
What happens next? “The information in this report is a starting point to advance the conversation about broadband access in our state,” said Gov. Bill Haslam. “An internal working group will review the report and have discussions with stakeholders to develop potential solutions to close the gap on broadband access in Tennessee.”
