Speedy Web Vital

SPEEDY WEB VITAL
[SOURCE: Berkshire Eagle, AUTHOR: Jack Dew jdew@berkshireeagle.com]
The digital divide has barely narrowed in the Berkshires, where many communities still face snail-paced Internet connections over dial-up lines. Although high-speed access can be found in larger towns in the area, phone and cable companies have been reluctant to extend that service to sparsely populated areas, where the return on expensive infrastructure investment is not as great. The lack of high-speed Internet access in the Berkshires, Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket has been identified as a key challenge by Massachusetts Gov.-elect Deval Patrick's transition team. And officials are acknowledging that it will take investment of some public dollars to narrow the divide. The solution likely will blend state, federal and private dollars, said Daniel Bosley who will be Gov Patrick's special adviser for economic development. A universal service charge might be added to phone bills, while the broadband office will lobby the federal government for financial assistance. Meanwhile, the state could start laying fiber optic cables whenever it repaves a road, burying the lines underground and then giving private companies access.
http://www.berkshireeagle.com/localnews/ci_4934840

A YEAR OF GEARING UP
[SOURCE: Cleveland Plain Dealer12/31, AUTHOR: Editorial Staff]
[Commentary] Broadband is on the 2007 agenda for Cleveland Mayor Frank Johnson. Nothing would diminish the problems of crime and poverty in Cleveland more effectively than more and better jobs for city residents. One angle to explore: How can Cleveland better capitalize on its ultra-broadband capabilities to change its image and increase the technological capacity of its citizens, schools, small businesses - and of City Hall itself?
http://www.cleveland.com/politics/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/opinion/11...