E-Learning, E-Health for All?
Our schools, libraries and hospitals need 21st-century Internet connections.
The 2009 Recovery Act sets aside $7 billion for broadband projects. But the FCC says that’s not enough to wire the nation. So how do we maximize our return on broadband investment?
Microsoft and others are urging the government to focus on schools, libraries and hospitals. Today many of these institutions try to get by with mere 1.5 Mbps Internet connections — not nearly fast enough to transmit high-resolution X-rays or multiple, high-caliber lectures.
At a minimum, the government should ensure that no school, library or hospital has less than 100 Mbps of upgradeable connectivity — the bare bones needed to deliver e-learning and e-health solutions, which are essential to the nation’s future productivity and competitiveness.
Deploying better broadband connections in this way will have the added benefit of enabling local network operators to tie in and economically extend broadband to underserved neighborhoods and along Main Street, creating more local jobs in the process.
During the 20th century, construction of modern transportation, telephone and electrical networks helped unite the country and create prosperity. Today again, connecting the nation — beginning with schools, libraries and hospitals — is a wise investment.
