Connected

High-speed Internet access isn't a luxury.  These days, it is a necessity.  Unfortunately, many people lack this critical communications service because a few large companies fail to provide access in many areas or charge prices that are out of reach for average families.

But communities have options to bridge this "digital divide."  Community-sponsored Internet projects are vital tool to expand competition and extend the benefits of the Internet to more people.

Affordable high-speed Internet means:

• Improved economic development opportunities
• Expanded educational opportunities
• Access to important job-training skills
• Connections to diverse viewpoints and vital information
• Use of new, exciting technologies such as telephone calls and video services over the Internet

The following are community groups that are succeeding:

Bridging Communities

When local officials in Utah began discussing ways to improve economic opportunities and quality-of-life for residents, the talk turned to affordable high-speed Internet access. Those discussions have bloomed into one of the nation's largest publicly owned fiber-optic networks – a consortium of 14 cities with a unified goal of providing residents and businesses world-class, affordable telecommunication services.

Overcoming the Digital Divide

While new technologies help lower the cost of Internet access, it remains prohibitively expensive – if not impossible – for many lower-income people in rural or urban areas to get online. To address that "digital divide," the Center for Neighborhood Technology built a wireless community network in four Chicago neighborhoods to test whether it's possible to provide communities with an affordable alternative to broadband offerings from big providers like SBC Communications and Comcast.

Citywide Hot Spot

The Wireless Philadelphia Project is designed to provide affordable broadband wireless Internet access throughout the entire city – from Center City to outlying neighborhoods – making Philadelphia one of the largest wireless cities in the nation.

Rural Communities Get Connected

Northeast Texas Wireless Initiative seeks to provide rural Texans with affordable Internet access.  Partnering with local communities, the effort uses water towers and other community buildings to mount the technology necessary to connect communities wirelessly.  Currently, the initiative, supported by the residents, the police department, local churches and businesses, offers service in the northeast Texas towns of Atlanta and Queen City, and is working on expanding its services to more rural communities.

Do you have a community Internet success story you want to share?

Tell us about it!