Across the digital divide
Guest Columnist
By George Winner

Providing citizens across upstate New York with equal access to highspeed (broadband) Internet must be a high priority. High-speed Internet has become fundamental to our economic and educational success.

It has become a foundation upon which our work force will be strengthened, our region will rely on to attract high-tech economic opportunities, and our young people can begin to acquire skills absolutely essential to their success in the modern economy.

Communities lacking readily accessible, affordable broadband -- and there are many of them throughout the Southern Tier-Finger Lakes region and across upstate -- simply find themselves at a competitive disadvantage.

But broadening access to highspeed Internet is going to require state government incentives that encourage providers to expand affordable service to rural and other underserved regions. Fortunately, this year's state budget included the beginnings of the necessary incentives, and there are plenty of signs that more help will be on the way.

The Legislative Commission on Rural Resources estimates that at least 750,000 rural New Yorkers do not have high-speed Internet access through either cable modem, DSL, fiber, or wireless service. It's an issue that we've heard a lot about over the past few years as we've held a number of "listening sessions" throughout rural communities. But New York's digital divide is not solely a rural phenomenon. It impacts many suburban and urban households too.

The 2007-08 state budget included $5 million for a new competitive grant program that seeks to provide seed money to eligible communities and organizations creating publicprivate partnerships to research, design and implement solutions to advance universal broadband access.

A law I sponsored in 2006 directed several state agencies to examine strategies for expanding high-speed Internet access to rural and other underserved areas. Their report, ""Policy Alternatives Supporting Deployment of Broadband Services in Rural Areas of New York State" (available on my web site at www.senatorwinner.com) will continue to help guide efforts to more aggressively advance specific state and local strategies for the deployment of broadband infrastructure. The report examines the digital divide in New York State, surveys the state's existing broadband infrastructure, shares case studies in other states, and offers a series of recommended actions. These actions include the provision of financial and technical assistance to communities and service providers; establishment of a statewide franchise for Internet service; increased availability of public access through libraries, school and local government facilities; and encouragement of the use of satellitebased broadband.

It's worthwhile reading and I hope it will help lay the groundwork for future legislative actions, beginning next year.

More recently, a new state Council for Universal Broadband has been established and will work to further develop a comprehensive statewide strategy to expand affordable broadband access and, among other goals, examine ways to leverage existing resources and recommend non-traditional expansion methods.

It's a necessary step. A bipartisan, widespread commitment throughout New York government to make highspeed Internet accessible and affordable for every community is the key to a long-term, sustained effort.

This action represents one of the keys to fully bringing the excitement and prosperity of a high-tech future to rural New York. Rural communities must find a niche in the continued emergence of New York State's high technology industry. We have to focus on building the necessary infrastructure and work force to cement rural New York's place in that future. Certainly, additional funds and incentives will be required in the 2008-09 state budget in order to realistically accomplish these goals.

In the meantime, let's focus on the new competitive grant program for communities and organizations seeking to develop high-speed Internet access in currently underserved areas. Applications and additional information is accessible online through the state Office for Technology (www.oft.state.ny.us). At the bottom of the home page, click on the "Universal Broadband" icon.

In its application packet the office writes, "An effective statewide broadband strategy is important to enable New York State to achieve and maintain global competitiveness. To that end, the state has adopted a broad, comprehensive and multifaceted strategic approach to providing affordable universal broadband access to its residents, businesses and visitors. . . engaging partners across a wide spectrum of public sector, private sector and not-for-profit organizations to provide innovative broadband solutions to well-documented impediments for closing the remaining digital divide gaps in New York State."