In a recent article from CNN, the internet is called, “…the ultimate democratizer. It’s open to everyone and allows all people to communicate.” The article discusses how Facebook and Google are working to provide their users with the tools to translate what they post/read/engage with into other languages, thus adding billions of people all over the world to our potential pool of networking and collaboration connections.

We blogged in the past about the importance of Future Thinking Technology Policies—policies that are designed to evolve with the technology and encourage technological innovation not stifle it.

Being able to translate what you wish online into your language of choice is an incredible demonstration of how far the capabilities of the internet have come and a mere glimpse into what the future of this awesome technology may bring.

So, Wired Wisconsin members and secret followers—we know you’re out there —what cool things do you wish the internet could do?

For example, I would love to be able to smell some of the delicious Thanksgiving recipes being paraded everywhere online. What about you? Cool points and a mention in our next blog for the most creative idea.

Bringing broadband access to all of Wisconsin’s residents might happen even faster now that the FCC has finalized their rules regarding the amount of time state and local zoning organizations have to approve a site application for wireless broadband towers.

The rule used to say that authorities had to act within a “reasonable period of time” when considering which sites got approval.

The new rules put a definite time frame on these decisions:

• 90 days to respond to a request
• 150 days to take action

If the zoning authorities do not follow these rules the wireless providers could take legal action and the courts could force a position.

While this ruling addresses some of the hurdles to achieving our coalition goal of 100% broadband access, there are still many challenges to overcome.

Read our Broadband Deployment and Access to Wireless Technologies Issue Statement

A new bill has been introduced in the Wisconsin State Legislature that would undo the progress our state has made in expanding consumer access to video and internet options, improving infrastructure, and creating new jobs.

The “Cable Consumer Repair Bill” was introduced by Rep. Hebl on Tuesday, and seeks to overturn the system of cable competition that was set up under the Video Competition Act (VCA), which was enacted in January of 2008.

Even though the VCA was passed less than two years ago, we’ve already seen a great deal of progress under the bill.  It’s generated real competition, helped improve prices, created hundreds of new jobs, spurred millions in investment in infrastructure, improved customer service and expanded consumers’ access to new video providers, services and features all across the state.

But this new bill would make it significantly harder for new companies to enter the marketplace while simultaneously discouraging future investment in our state.

Especially in these tough economic times, it’s vital to our state’s future that we do everything in our power to encourage infrastructure development in high-tech industries like video and internet services.

We need to let the current bill continue to do its job, rather than put the economic benefits we’ve seen in jeopardy.

Thad Nation, Executive Director

Wired Wisconsin

When my grandparents got a computer in the late 90’s, I was so proud, but also slightly worried about their technology literacy and being able to utilize the internet to the fullest.

Years later, they send frequent emails, buy things online, and are always looking to learn more about how to better utilize this technology. When I visit, it’s likely they will have a question and I have learned that I need to walk my grandparents through the solution rather than just doing it myself.

I hear a lot from coalition members about family members who for various reasons haven’t gotten on the broadband technology train.

The Federal Communications Commission recently identified what they believe are the five barriers to broadband adoption:

1. Affordability of service
2. Affordability of hardware
3. Insufficient digital and technical literacy levels
4. Unawareness of the personal relevance and utility of broadband technology and online content
5. Inability to use existing technology and applications due to physical or mental disabilities

These barriers as suggested by the FCC support what the Wisconsin Public Service Commission found in their Federal Recovery Act (ARRA) – Preliminary Results of Broadband Survey.

The barriers related to a lack of understanding and/or education is what struck us most.

So, we wonder what are communities throughout Wisconsin doing to bring their residents up to speed—literally—on the ins and outs of broadband and how this technology affects every aspect of our lives?

Know of a program or business working to improve technology literacy in your community? Let us know by emailing [email protected]

The past few days have been very exciting for Wisconsin residents who still don’t have broadband internet access.

First, the Public Service Commission was awarded the much needed and anticipated $1.7 million broadband mapping grant last Friday.

Kathleen Gallagher, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Journal Reporter wrote an article about how the grant will affect Wisconsin. Thad Nation, Wired Wisconsin’s Executive Director, was quoted throughout the article.

“This is a really good sign,” said Thad Nation, executive director of Wired Wisconsin, a year-old technology advocacy group. “It’s very positive news that the PSC sees this as an important issue, and they must have put in a very strong application to be among the first to get this award.”

Then,  the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Utilities Service (RUS) and the Commerce Department’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), the agencies in charge of dispersing stimulus funds, outlined the new plan for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act’s broadband grant and loan programs to address the great deal of criticism they have received about how slowly the broadband deployment nationwide was happening.

GREAT news for Wisconsin!

RUS and NTIA are also seeking public feedback on how to affectively get the funds dispersed.

Read the press release RUS and NTIA put out about why and how they will expedite the process Here.

Individuals interested in providing feedback should see Request for Information (RFI)

Broadband Deployment in rural areas is so important as both a way and means to economic development but also bringing and keeping jobs in Wisconsin.

Read our Wired Wisconsin Broadband Deployment Issue Statement

When school kids decades from now are asked what they think the most significant invention of human record is we would be willing to bet that the “internet” will rank high on that list. And this assumption is being made only 40 years after the technology was first developed! We have not even begun to fully realize or understand the impact of the internet on how we do just about everything—including communicate with each other.

But who is the “each other” now that the internet has enabled us to share our thoughts and opinions with just about anyone about anything with a simple click of the mouse? When we post pictures of friends getting married or get involved in an online debate via Facebook usually with many people we don’t know, we have entrusted all of my connections and subsequently their connections not to use these things against us in the future. Scary, right?!

Most of us were raised not to talk to strangers and to be mindful of how what we say and do affects others, but in an online world it seems much of that goes out the door because nothing is private once posted and we communicate with tons of strangers daily. We just aren’t as conscious of it behind a computer screen.

As this Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Opinion written by Darlene Vosen states so well:

“Technology is changing so quickly that we haven’t been able to really figure out how it affects us. Nor do we think about the potential consequences of snapping that picture, shooting that video or texting the “first thought” that struck us. Once it is out there on the Internet or YouTube, one can’t take it back. That’s a mind-blowing concept.” <end quote>

This question posed by the author deserves some thought, and we would be interested in hearing from all of you:

So is what we consider private and public changing? Is it the advances in technology, or is it us?

We have done many blogs around the important issue of broadband deployment in Wisconsin’s rural areas. The following quote from a recent Green Bay Press Gazette article explains again the importance of broadband deployment in Wisconsin:

“Broadband is important for education, important for economic development,” said Gary Evenson of the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin. “If a business is thinking of moving in a rural part of the state, they’re going to want broadband access to run their business. It’s recognized as a new important piece of economic interaction in this country.” <end quote>

As our partnership with Rural America Onshore Sourcing demonstrates, not having broadband access impedes economic development and the jobs that development usually brings. Rural America’s success in Wisconsin is predicated on rural broadband access.

Two local telecoms, Cellcom and Hilbert Communications, are hoping that their combined $100 million broadband deployment project wish lists be granted via the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act’s $7.2 billion allocated just for broadband expansion.

The PSC has been conducting an online survey (don’t even get us started…) to determine statewide broadband accessibility. As of October 2009, just over 8500 people have responded and more than ½ said they don’t have broadband. Respondents reasons for not having broadband range from it being too expensive to just not available in their communities.

Part of the problem, as discussed from a business model standpoint in this NPR story, is that current policy does not provide the needed profit motivation to expand broadband coverage into these areas. The low population density commonly found in rural areas unfortunately does not justify the huge investment needed to bring these communities service. Enter stimulus funds. Hopefully.

Wired Wisconsin is committed to supporting an environment for innovative technology, high-tech job creation, and economic growth. Supporting Future Thinking Technology Policies and Broadband Deployment in rural Wisconsin is central to this goal.