We need to make sure the focus is shifted to advocate for rural America. If they are left behind we all will suffer.

image courtesy of blackcowboys.com

We all know we take for granted the access we have to Internet. We complain if we can’t find a wifi hotspot, when we walk into an area with a low wireless, and always complain about the prices we pay for these services. Well imagine if all those complaints went away because you didn’t have access to the most basic of wireless services. Those complaints would seem small in comparison. Well that is plight of over 4.4 million African Americans living in rural America. In a piece written by Hilary Shelton of the NAACP, she talks about how there is a still an “basic access “issue  in rural America.

“According to the Federal Communications Commission, 12 million homes lack access to even the most basic high-speed services, and the majority of these homes are in rural areas that too many in private industry often see as too expensive, too risky or not profitable enough to build out and serve.

This lack of access directly impacts the 4.4 million African- Americans living in rural areas and farms in America.”
There are people who contend on a daily basis that the digital divide is over. While wehave made significant strides over the last decade, it is far from over. Even in urban centers broadband adoption and literacy are only around 50% for African Americans compared to almost 90% for mainstream America. But the problem is rural areas is a much different. Without access to basic broadband and wireless services there is no luxury of basic choices. No access to email, no way to extend their reach to suppliers outside their general area and no global perspective. Second class citizens in many aspects. So when we complain about how we want the access we have to continue to get faster and at the same time cheaper. Let’s remember the people who want love to have a quarter of the options we have now.

Net Neutrality

“You see, this is why we should have Net Neutrality regulations, because if this ever happens they can stop it”

That title sounds silly, right? Well, that’s most of what the pro-Net Neutrality sites are using as the basis of their arguments. Here is another article  that tries to “mis-educate” people on Net Neutrality  by posing hypothetical  fear scenarios based on things that have never happened.  The more I read these stories, the more I realize that people are really being misled on this issue. Here’s a great example

http://twek.wordpress.com/2009/12/12/see-this-is-why-we-need-net-neutrality-sony-pictures-entertainment-vp-quote/

Net Neutrality may actually hinder free speech not help it.

As I continue to work to inform people on all aspects of Net Neutrality, I came across this article that gives a contrasting and more realistic view of what the current proposed Net Neutrality regulations would do. Give it a read.

http://thehill.com/blogs/hillicon-valley/interviews-profiles/71521-mcslarrow-net-neutrality-would-hinder-not-help-first-amendment-rights

Broadband

Broadband mapping can finally let us know who doesn’t have broadband in the U.S.

You may never have heard of broadband mapping, but it’s pretty important  to the push towards 100% access to broadband in the U.S. This article talks about its value:

http://www.fiercebroadbandwireless.com/story/broadband-mapping-grant-can-help-communities-refine-their-strategy/2009-12-13

Entrepreneurship

Entrepreneur Stories

If you are an entrepreneur or thinking about becoming one it’s always good to hear stories from other entrepreneurs. Build a Stronger America has a started a program to let you do just that.  Take a look:

http://www.buildastrongeramerica.com/share?utm_source=bsa&utm_medium=email&utm_term=update121409&utm_campaign=sharelink

What Makes an Entrepreneur?

I read quite a few good blogs about start-ups and entrepreneurship. ( I’ll list those in an upcoming post), and I was inspired by the start-up stories found at the link above.  That said, I would like to share a great article I read on what it takes to to become and entrepreneur. I encourage you to take a few minutes to read this.

http://www.bothsidesofthetable.com/2009/11/19/what-makes-an-entrepreneur-four-lettersjfdi/

http://www.internetnews.com/infra/article.php/3847366/Lawmakers+Float+Bill+to+Boost+Rural+Broadband.htm