[LINK] Benefits of a digital economy enabled by the National

[Kim Holburn]

On 2010/Sep/22, at 4:19 PM, Marghanita da Cruz wrote:
> Education seems to be the most compelling argument for
> ubiquitous high speed access to the Internet and I would
> suggest such access for every government school/tafe/library
> building in the country should be a priority. These
> facilities should then be available for University study as
> well. The articulation beyond that can be done once this has
> been achieved.


Can't argue with that except to say that country universities,  
schools, libraries, hospitals should get first dibs.

Looks like the US is looking at something similar:

http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/2010/09/fcc-to-fast-track-fiber-to-schools-and-libraries.ars?

> FCC to fast track fiber to schools and libraries
>
> A big component of the Federal Communication Commission's national  
> broadband strategy is to turn "anchor institutions"—schools,  
> libraries, and government buildings—into 1Gbps hubs of community  
> access for high speed Internet. The agency took that agenda one step  
> further on Tuesday by announcing that schools and libraries will  
> soon be able to use E-Rate funds to obtain access to unused fiber- 
> optic connections around the country, sometimes known as "dark  
> fiber" lines.
>
> "With these fiber networks, schools and libraries can provide  
> students and communities with cutting-edge connectivity, while at  
> the same time saving millions of dollars by bypassing more expensive  
> options," the draft proposal explains.
>

-- 
Kim Holburn
IT Network & Security Consultant
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