EAST LANSING – Lack of broadband access is hurting northern Michigan communities by stunting rural development and job growth, and affecting emergency services, contends a report issued Monday by Michigan State University.
“New broadband information, communication, telecommunication systems and services are vital means to assure that the full spectrum of information available to consumers around the world is available to all communities,” said Mark Levy, MSU professor of telecommunication information studies and media and leader of the project. “Ensuring access to all this information is certainly among the single most important considerations the world will encounter now and for the future.”
A research and development team of 140 students and several faculty members from the Department of Telecommunication, Information Studies and Media was formed, and was named MSU Site for Information and Telecommunication Experimentation, or M-SITE.
M-SITE members collaborated with the Northeastern Michigan Council of Governments (NEMCOG), which consists of Otsego, Alpena, Cheboygan, Alcona, Montmorency, Crawford, Oscoda and Presque Isle counties.
The group developed a plan to improve the economic and social quality of rural life through successful and innovative approaches involving wide access to broadband information technology.
The team’s “Broadband Service Report” outlines all of the technologies, legal issues and economic issues that local citizens and government officials would need to tackle in order to have broadband access in these sometimes remote areas.
Other key findings include:
Broadband is the key to a connected future for these rural communities, and can serve as a way to keep young people home.
This technology would also improve library services, 911 emergency responses and access to high-tech jobs.
Local governments and businesses need to find ways to share broadband bandwidth in an economic way, including seeking out available loans and federal grants to acquire technology and discounted services.
A strategy should be designed between all local governments in the region to develop the necessary infrastructure and technologies that can be re-sold or shared between all businesses and public sector entities, Levy said.
“The region is geographically dispersed and transportation is difficult to allow reasonable and swift travel to all areas of the region,” said Levy. “Therefore, telecommunication is a critical infrastructure needed to improve the economy and quality of life.”
To view the full report, click on MSU.Edu
