USTelecom Vidcast: Broadband, Jobs and the Economy March 3rd, 2010

Today, lawmakers across the political spectrum agree that stimulating jobs and our economy are key to revitalizing our nation.  As policymakers work to generate new economic opportunities, broadband continues to bring positive growth and well-paying jobs enriching the communities and livelihoods of American citizens.

In the latest USTelecom vidcast, USTelecom President and CEO Walter B. McCormick Jr. discusses the positive contributions broadband is already making to our economy, as well as what lies ahead for broadband and IT-related industries.  Here are some featured highlights:

• Job Growth. Studies show the broadband and IT sectors created nearly half of all new American jobs in 2008.  And this growth trajectory gives no indication of slowing down.  To the contrary, Broadband Information, Communications, and Technology-enabled occupations are projected to be the fastest-growing U.S. professions over the next decade.
• Well-Paying Positions. In addition to the rapid growth of telecom positions, studies show that the average hourly earnings for these positions are 42% higher than those in the manufacturing sector.
• Vigorous Investment. Companies nationwide invested $455 billion in the Internet, Communications, and Technology sector in 2008 – amounting to more than 1 in every 5 dollars invested in the entire U.S. economy.  Not only does this establish the U.S. as the world leader in broadband investment, economists also estimate that at least one-third of our country’s productivity growth derives from these broadband-fueled sectors.

Interested in learning more?  To hear USTelecom’s overview of how broadband is aiding the economy, click on the video.

USTelecom Vidcast: 2010 Outlook January 20th, 2010

With a National Broadband Plan close at hand and key issues from the economy to health care high on our domestic agenda, 2010 promises to be a defining year for broadband.  From creating jobs to controlling skyrocketing health care costs, the high-speed Internet can help.

In the latest USTelecom vidcast, USTelecom President and CEO Walter B. McCormick Jr. takes a look at what broadband can do to aid today’s top issues, and what potential Internet policies lie ahead.  Here are some featured highlights:

• Renewing the Economy. Broadband continues to be a tremendous economic engine.  In fact, in 2008 nearly half of all new American jobs resulted from the broadband and IT sectors.  And these positions also rank among America’s best-paying jobs.
• Aiding Health Care. Broadband can help deliver the health care savings consumers are eager for – saving the average household an estimated $670 per year.  Patients can also receive care in the comfort of their own homes, thanks to remote patient monitoring.  As an added bonus, this technology promises to reduce costs by $200 billion over the next 25 years.
• A National Broadband Plan.  As the FCC works to complete its National Broadband Plan, consensus on its key principles is clear.  Extending broadband’s reach to remote unserved pockets of our nation is crucial.  So too is encouraging Americans to seize the opportunity broadband provides by focusing on digital literacy and awareness.  Ensuring a stable investment climate is also essential – particularly given the fact that broadband providers are the leading investors in the U.S. economy today.
• Potential Regulation.  As the FCC considers so-called ‘net neutrality’ regulations, many continue to question the need for greater government control of the high-speed Internet.  Imposing more regulation could have stifling effects on investment, innovation, and the broadband experience for consumers.

Interested in learning more?  To hear USTelecom’s 2010 outlook, click on the video.

Broadband Now: Time to Regulate the Internet? November 4th, 2009

Today, as the FCC considers greater regulation of the Internet, everyone from consumers to Internet pioneers is proclaiming the importance of maintaining a free and open Internet. What exactly is at stake for Americans? The ability for consumers to control their online experience – not to mention the fast-paced innovation and generous investment that has made broadband what it is today.

Who’s talking about the outcome of greater government control of the Internet? Here are a few highlights discussed in our latest edition of Broadband Now:

• Investment and Jobs. In defense of a free and open Internet, Verizon CEO Ivan Seidenberg noted his company alone invested $80 billion in communications networks in the past five years. He also highlighted a study that reports every $10 billion increase in digital investment creates nearly 500,000 U.S. jobs.
• Innovation. How will the FCC define “reasonable network management”? Innovators are concerned a government-led approach will slow the Internet’s evolution – a particular concern for the “Grandfather of the Internet,” David Farber, who fears this policy shift could be disastrous for consumers and innovation.
• A Growing Chorus of Concern. Even Google, a long-time champion of a more regulatory approach, recently changed its tune. On the day the FCC issued its proposed rules, Google’s CEO said “It is possible for the government to screw the Internet up, big-time.” And, meanwhile the ranks continue to grow, with well-respected experts questioning the need for the government having a larger day-to-day role in our Internet.

For more insights on Internet regulation, click on the video.

Broadband Now: Trick or Treat October 20th, 2009

Halloween is nearly upon us – filling the streets with masks of deception.  You may be able to tell the difference between a fake from the real thing on a sidewalk street, but what about when it comes to broadband myths and realities?

In honor of Halloween, our latest edition of Broadband Now reveals the true picture of broadband today – as opposed to the false images sometimes portrayed.  Below are a few highlights showcasing fact versus fiction that can help provide clarity as policy makers develop a national broadband plan.  Play along and see if you can identify which statements are a trick, and which are a treat, showcasing the tangible benefits of broadband:

• The reason more Americans don’t have broadband is because they don’t have access.  Trick.  Nearly 80 million Americans subscribe to broadband, and only 4% of adults say they don’t have broadband because service is unavailable.
• Broadband and IT created nearly half of all new American jobs last year.  Treat.  Broadband and IT networks, innovation and investment are the primary engine of job creation in our nation today, and also rank among the best paying jobs.
• There are only a handful of competitors in the U.S. broadband market.  Trick.  The FCC reports nearly 1,400 U.S. broadband providers, and more than 4 out of 5 Americans have multiple service choices.
• Broadband could cut medical expenses for the chronically ill by 30%.  Treat.  Not only is this true, the benefits of this statistic include a 40% reduction in ER visits, a 63% drop in hospital admissions, and 60% shorter hospital stays.

For more timely insights unmasking the truth of broadband today, click on the video or visit our video wall.

Broadband Now: Who’s Adopting Broadband? October 7th, 2009

As our country forges ahead to create a National Broadband Plan, Americans across all demographics are adopting broadband in growing numbers.  United in the goal to connect all Americans to the Internet’s vast opportunities, policymakers and the nation’s broadband providers are taking a close look at the state of adoption in the U.S.

How many are connected?  What choices are available?  How do geography and other factors impact high-speed Internet adoption?  These are just a few of the questions we’re discussing in the latest edition of Broadband Now.

Here’s a snapshot of the state of adoption today:

Connectivity.  For the vast majority of our nation, broadband is available.  In fact, only 4% say broadband isn’t an option where they live, and nearly half of those without broadband say they don’t need it.

Rural America.  Despite the infrastructure challenges of deploying broadband to rural America, adoption in rural areas has jumped more than 20% in the past year alone, surpassing the growth of urban and suburban America.

Surging Demographics. Across virtually all demographics, broadband adoption is soaring.  African American adoption rates have tripled since 2005; Hispanic home broadband adoption grew 21% over the past year; and seniors 65+ jumped on the broadband bandwagon, with a 58% increase last year alone.

Adoption Speed.  To put broadband growth in perspective, consider this: high-speed Internet attained mass adoption at a far faster speed than consumers embraced other major technologies from color television to cell phones.

Interested in learning more?  Click on the video to hear about U.S. broadband adoption and the benefits these networks bring to our lives.

Broadband Now: Earth Day April 15th, 2009

From telecommuting to smart utility grids to online shopping, broadband can make a considerable difference in protecting our planet.  In this edition of Broadband Now, we discuss how broadband can contribute to a more sustainable future.

What specific benefits can connected conservation bring?  In honor of Earth Day, here are few highlights:

Telecommuting and Video Conferencing Bring Big Environmental Benefits.  According to the Consumer Electronics Association, the 3.9 million people who work from home at least 1 day per week save 840 million gallons of oil annually.  And, 2008 saw a 20% jump in companies making investments in videoconferencing, which is far less taxing on the environment than traveling to a destination.

E-commerce Reduces Consumers’ Carbon Footprint Considerably.  With consumers driving an average 14-miles round trip on shopping excursions, e-commerce has approximately a one-third smaller carbon footprint than going to a brick-and-mortar store.

Leading U.S. Companies Are Making Eco-Friendly Contributions.  AT&T recently announced they will deploy 800 new CNG and hybrid electric vehicles in 2009.  Verizon is also adopting hybrids and recently cited mobile broadband’s ability to enhance the efficiency of public utility grids through smart technologies.

Click on the video for more on broadband-powered conservation.

Broadband Stimulus Update Video March 27th, 2009

USTelecom’s Vice President for Policy David Cohen provides a video recap on what’s been happening with the broadband stimulus package. Hear about the roles of the Rural Utilities Service, National Telecommunications and Information Administration, the recent Broadband Technology Opportunities Program public meetings and USTelecom’s plans.

Click on the video to see the complete update.

Broadband Now: Rural Adoption March 4th, 2009

With seven billion dollars committed to speeding broadband deployment, President Obama’s stimulus package makes clear that increasing U.S. broadband adoption is a legislative priority.  Crucial to this national goal, our latest edition of Broadband Now takes a look at rural connectivity, focusing on the status of rural access and solutions to speed broadband-driven opportunities.Highlights include:

• Nearly 40% of rural Americans have broadband at home, and adoption is accelerating with 25% year-over-year growth.
• Less than 1 in 5 rural Americans say they aren’t connected to high-speed Internet because it isn’t available; rather, most say they don’t need the Internet, or cannot use or do not own a computer.
• Innovative public-private partnerships like Connect Kentucky address technology literacy and seek to remove all barriers to access.  As a result of this collaboration, Kentucky’s broadband availability has spiked from 60% to 95%, as well as benefited from 18,000 new IT jobs that have kept more residents in state.
• New wireless long-term evolution (LTE) technology also holds promise to help bridge the digital divide, offering networks as fast and reliable as wired options.

Click on the video for more on rural broadband adoption.

Broadband Now: Adoption February 18th, 2009

With all eyes fixed on the economy and broadband playing a role in our nation’s stimulus plans, broadband deployment is a hot topic.  Our latest edition of Broadband Now takes a look at broadband adoption in the U.S., starting with the fact that America’s nearly 1,400 broadband providers have invested more than $120 billion in infrastructure in the past two years alone.  Just how connected are we?  With roughly 73 million households online, our country is the most populous broadband nation on earth other than China.

Other adoption highlights include:

• More than 90% of Americans live in areas where broadband is available, and 80% of us say Internet service is “untouchable” when it comes to cutting expenses.
• New surveys indicate that less than 10% of unconnected Americans cite cost as a barrier to access, and nearly half say they simply don’t need broadband.
• Given the fact that 1 in 4 American homes do not have a computer, there are very real barriers to access that can be overcome through innovative public-private partnerships (i.e., an initiative in Kentucky increased computer ownership by 5 times the national average and caused broadband adoption to double).

Click on the video for more on broadband adoption.

Broadband Now: Economic Renewal January 21st, 2009

With a new President and Congress sworn into office, our latest Broadband Now video discusses the top policy priority of our day — renewing our nation’s economy. In the wake of our country’s economic challenges, President Obama is proposing a modern New Deal that promises to not only invest in our physical infrastructure, but also stimulate our information economy. Speeding the promise of broadband to all Americans is a worthwhile goal, as well as a catalyst of stimulus. Just how big a role does broadband play in the U.S. economy?

Here are a few highlights:

• The broadband/information technology sectors lead U.S. GDP growth, adding nearly $900 billion annually to the nation’s economy, and created nearly half of all new jobs last year.
• Thanks to a pro-investment policy environment, private investment in broadband infrastructure totaled roughly $120 billion over the last two years.
• A 7% increase in broadband adoption could create 2.4 million U.S. jobs.

For more on broadband’s economic impact click on the video, or visit our video wall.