Today, President Obama will announce a total of $790m in government investments (in terms of grants and loans) to implement broadband access in disadvantaged communities. It is estimated that this program will also create in excess of 5,000 new jobs and result in $200m in related private investment.
I am sure that there are many arguments that can be made about how this amount of money could be better spent, but the thing here is that those in communities without broadband access are likely at a social and economic disadvantage and this will just give them one more way to reach out and find jobs or social services.
Too often, we underestimate the importance of technology. For most of us, it's a given that we have broadband and WiFi access at our every whim. We get frustratated when we can't find WiFi hotspots during our city jaunts.
Like it or not, technology is here to stay - and the ability to connect online is getting to the point where for most people, it's as important as having telephone access.
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