Ohio State University’s Department of Agricultural, Environmental, and Development Economics has released a study entitled “Connecting the Dots of Ohio’s Broadband Policy.” The study reportedly shows that more than one million Ohioans still do not have adequate broadband access, and, if they did, it would mean as much as a two billion dollar impact for Ohio’s families and businesses.
“Providing all Ohioans with access to broadband is key to improving the lives of every family in our state as well as revving the economic-engine of rural and urban communities,” said State Rep. Ryan Smith. “Those who are without Internet access are left out of job opportunities, lose crucial access to healthcare, can’t take part in national and global commerce, and find themselves with limited educational resources. As a state, we cannot afford to leave one million residents on the wrong side of the Digital Divide.”
The report said that the main roadblock is a lack of coordinating efforts among different Ohio agencies, communities and broadband providers.
“Ohio leaders need to better leverage the existing data and information out there about where broadband is accessible and where it isn’t and integrate that into policymaking when it comes to things like infrastructure and transportation planning,” said Mark Rembert, a doctoral student and graduate research associate for the Swank Program in Rural-Urban Policy at OSU, who worked on the study.
“Being independent is so important to facilitating broadband conversations between government, providers, and end-users,” said Stu Johnson, Executive Director of Connect Ohio. “Connect Ohio then takes these conversations a step further by gathering and mapping residential, business, and rural/Appalachia broadband data, which is key to identifying Ohio’s outstanding access issues and creating comprehensive plans with realistic solutions.”
Rembert and his co-authors listed five recommendations to accelerate broadband expansion in Ohio while minimizing the public cost: developing a state office to coordinate broadband expansion efforts across state agencies, utilizing groups like Connect Ohio; adopting a state “dig once” policy; strengthening public-private partnerships so that public infrastructure can be used to expand broadband access without creating anti-competitive conditions; promoting local government policies that facilitate broadband; and establishing a broadband investment fund to finance infrastructure.
“The bottom line is this—broadband gives families, individuals, farmers, and small community businesses access to a global economy, healthcare, education, and more,” said Johnson. “But only if those who are being connected know how to use the technology and leverage it to help themselves, their families, and their businesses. To get us there, we need to be intentional about how we use our data and how we coordinate efforts.”