Accelerating Broadband Adoption: The Power of Public-Private Partnerships February 17th, 2009
Tom Amontree

How do we help close the gap between America’s disadvantaged students and broadband learning? A critical part of the solution depends on innovative public-private partnerships to speed technology to populations in need.  This week, in Ohio, a living example of an effective partnership is playing out, as Connect Ohio distributes 400 computers to disadvantaged students and community computing centers through Governor Strickland’s No Child Left Offline initiative.  And thanks to their private investment and participation, the Ohio Telecom Association (OTA) has provided $100,000 in direct funding, with its member companies sponsoring these donations statewide.

Given the more than 2.6 million Ohioans who don’t own a computer and cannot benefit from broadband advances, Connect Ohio’s collaboration is a striking example of what can be done to reduce the digital divide and bring more Ohioans into the broadband era.  To showcase this achievement and inspire other partnerships, Connect Ohio and OTA will host a digital day event on Friday, February 20, during which Governor Strickland will present 24 new computers to the Lorain County Boys and Girls Clubs.  The event will provide a powerful example of the far-reaching effects broadband technology can have on the lives of Ohioans – from education, to health care, to the economy.

Just how influential is increased broadband adoption?  Connected Nation’s economic impact study shows that a mere seven percent increase in broadband adoption in Ohio could create or save 96,000 jobs, generate $25.4 million in health care savings, and result in $247.9 million in energy cost savings.  And the higher the rate of the adoption, the stronger the returns.

As broadband expands its reach and provider options multiply, we can target the populations and areas facing unique broadband adoption challenges and make a tremendous difference through creative alliances and solutions.  We applaud Connect Ohio, the Ohio Telecom Association, and No Child Left Offline for steering a visionary course to bring broadband to Ohio’s disadvantaged students.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, February 17th, 2009 at 1:38 pm and is filed under Benefits of Broadband. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.