Stimulus for Digital Access to Benefit Economy and Rural America

We live in a connected world. Our society has become so digital dependent that technologies such as those found on the Internet have long since been nice-to-haves; they have become necessities. Is it possible that there are still some who are without the benefit of modern technologies?

In such an age comes something formulated and named the 9 elements of digital citizenship. To define the term, one can simply state what each word means. Digital is what it is (to think in simple general terms, a form of technology). Citizenship may be a bit larger. Defined roughly as belonging or being a member of, citizenship also encompasses contribution from both sides.

The 9 elements were established to create a better and more educated and responsible Internet. Within the 9 elements of digital citizenship, there is one so basic that it is hard to believe that in today's day and age, particularly in the United States, it could be an issue. That element is Access, or, the ability to connect.

Naturally, there could be many reasons for Access to a problem, belief systems, culture are two possibilities. However, in today's economy it is more likely to be an economic issue. The question being, is the cost of establishing the infrastructure in locations worthwhile. The issues at hand usually have to do with geographic obstructions such as mountain regions, or the simple fact that residents live far from one another across a great distance - such is common in the flatlands.

In President Obama's recent State of the Union address, he mentioned the importance of connectivity and access. His message in short: the need for the best and fastest connections for a better economy.

So does everyone have connection? No. But to stimulate economic growth a stimulus package of over $7 billion has been set aside for broadband access that will in turn hopefully create jobs, help businesses, create educational opportunities, and more. The act called the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is using broadband, DSL, cable, fiber optic, and wireless as the connective infrastructure technologies. These technologies would reach out to disconnected or poorly connected (dial-up for example) areas, including those distant rural town found across America.

A recent story reported by the Associated Press commented that Vermont, Colorado, and Texas were among some of the areas impacted by the lack of connection, and funds such as those provided in the stimulus would go a long way to provide broadband access to those that don't have it.

Sources/Resources:

Stimulus funds help wire rural homes for Internet: JOHN CURRAN, Associated Press