The Task Force, chaired by Senator Roy Herron and Rep. Mark Maddox, includes representatives from the telecommunications industry as well as representatives from a number of state agencies. The Task Force was established to study the challenges related to providing high-speed Internet (commonly referred to as broadband) to all Tennesseans.
According to the Task Force report issued in January, "Broadband expansion is to the 21st century what rural electrification was to the 20th century ... High-speed Internet access ... is critically important to Tennessee's future, especially in jobs, education and healthcare."
In its initial recommendations to Governor Bredesen and the General Assembly, the Task Force cited the model established by Connected Nation in Kentucky and encouraged the initiation of similar efforts in Tennessee. Governor Bredesen's administration took swift action to ensure that appropriate steps were taken to enable such an effort for every community in the state.
According to Governor Bredesen, "My administration has laid out an aggressive agenda for Tennessee to become a leader in educating our children, providing quality healthcare, and creating economic development opportunities. Broadband technology is an enabler for programs such as distance learning, telemedicine, e-government, and for creating an environment that helps us grow jobs in all parts of Tennessee. Connected Tennessee will ensure that we have the broadband foundation and computer literacy that will ensure that Tennesseans everywhere can realize the opportunities that are possible when all communities are truly connected."
Connected Nation, a national non-profit organization that specializes in increasing technology access and literacy will work through a Nashville-based subsidiary, Connected Tennessee, to deliver a statewide program whose mission is to develop and implement effective strategies for technology deployment, use and literacy in Tennessee. As an independent non-profit, the organization will work with a wide array of Tennessee entities, both public and private, to accelerate the availability and use of technology towards creating:
- A better business environment;
- More effective community and economic development;
- Improved healthcare;
- Enhanced education; and
- More efficient government.
Connected Tennessee will work in partnership with telecommunications providers, information technology companies, public agencies, business leaders, community leaders, researchers and universities in an effort to meet five primary goals, which include:
- Affordable broadband availability for all Tennessee;
- Dramatically improved use of computers and the Internet by all Tennesseans;
- "eCommunity Leadership Teams" formed in every county
- local leaders who assemble to develop and implement technology growth strategies for local government, business and industry, education, healthcare, agriculture, libraries, tourism and community-based organizations;
- A policy and regulatory framework that encourages continued investment in communications and information technologies year after year; and
- A meaningful use of the Internet among all Tennessee communities, to improve citizen services and promote economic development through e-government, virtual education and online healthcare.
Connected Nation has had well-documented success with a nationally- acclaimed model for encouraging broadband growth and improving technology literacy. Connected Nation's Kentucky initiative, ConnectKentucky, has resulted in unprecedented broadband and technology expansion since the launch of a statewide technology plan in late 2004. ConnectKentucky has been cited as a national best practice by: the U.S. Economic Development Administration, the U.S. Government Accountability Office of Congress, the White House Office of Technology, Federal Communications Commission, Appalachian Regional Commission, USDA Rural Utilities Service, Congressional Research Service, Center for Digital Government, Southern Growth Policies Board, Communications Workers of America, Rural Telecommunications Congress and numerous states across the nation.
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About Connected Tennessee:
As a public-private partnership, Connected Tennessee partners with technology-minded businesses, government entities and universities to accelerate technology in the state. For more information about what Connected Tennessee is doing to accelerate technology in Tennessee's communities, visit: www.connectedtn.org/.
About Connected Nation:
Connected Nation, Inc. is a national non-profit organization known for its ability to close the digital divide. Through its partnerships, programs and policies Connected Nation makes technology work for previously underserved communities and markets, improving community life and economic development while enhancing markets for technology providers. Connected Nation's proven methodologies are delivering dramatic results that translate into more efficient public services and enhanced quality of life. Connected Nation's work in Kentucky, ConnectKentucky, has been identified as a national model for the expansion of broadband.
Connected Nation's proven methodologies enable comprehensive technology expansion efforts that effectively enhance the supply of available broadband while dramatically increasing demand through state and local grassroots awareness/adoption campaigns. Connected Nation specializes in increasing technology access and literacy towards greater digital inclusion for all. This technology expansion improves economic development, healthcare, education and public safety; and provides a better way of life for Americans.
For more information about Connected Nation visit www.connectednation.com/
Quelle/Source: Earthtimes, 10.05.2007
