The new report attempts to quantify the economic benefits of the increase of broadband penetration. Using data from the Brookings Institute, they estimated that the increase in broadband boosted direct wages in Kentucky by over $1 billion. Surveys asked people to self-estimate the amount of health care, driving, and time saved through the use of broadband, which added up to roughly another half-billion dollars.
The report then extrapolated the data nationwide, generating figures for each state based on the relative populations in urban, suburban, and rural areas; the total economic boost came out to be $134 billion. The report notes that this would serve as a significant economic stimulus, and urges support for two bills: H.R. 3919, which would generate a national broadband census, and H.R. 3627, which would promote broadband adoption (Senate equivalents exist). Oddly, the legislation has been rolled into legislation on farming, and the contentious nature of that topic has stalled any progress. This legislation is where an element of self-promotion comes in; the adoption of a national effort of this sort would clearly help Connected Nation, as they've moved several of the people involved in the Kentucky effort into the national organization in the hope of expanding the program to other states.
At today's FCC hearing in Cambridge, Rep. Ed Markey (D-MA) as well as several FCC Commissioners made a point of mentioning that they have a strong desire for more broadband competition and market penetration. Yet, at the same time, the Bush administration's NTIA says we're doing just fine and we don't need no stinkin' policy. On the other hand...$134 billion is a lot of money.
Actually, it's almost the amount of money that the Bush administration wants to borrow from China and cut checks to us all for.
Save the paper and build some bigger tubes, Mr. Bush.
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