Next generation access is what many of us already have these days. Many of us have the kinds of busy lives that make instant access to the internet nigh on essential and we panic when the connection speed fails to meet our expectations. This is not necessarily the sign of an overly demanding, technology-dependent generation, but rather a development we should welcome, provided that it leads us to new pathways of learning, better social interaction and even ways of resisting the status quo. The latter is a tricky point: while using the internet has in recent years involved the increasing exposure of the user to insidious methods of advertising, and social media has blurred the once staunchly-defended line between our public/professional and personal, private lives, the online realm has also been where we can freely access tools for learning and entertainment. Perhaps even more importantly, ICT infrastructure has linked us up with an international community with whom we can share experiences, formulate opinions and grow. A number of people remain isolated from the above, however, because community broadband has not yet extended to all geographical locations.
Many initiatives are underway to extend the reach of broadband. This is important if we want to avoid an uneven rate of development both internally and internationally. Just take the example of the UK – it is such a small nation but one still blighted by the government’s tendency to privilege the capital and the South before attention turns to the needs of the North and the regions. Luckily, a number of initiatives involving the latest in fibre optic technology and data transmission are aiming to close the gap between the best and worst connected communities. This good work needs to be continued: while in London even the underground transport system is beginning to offer free internet access, there are a considerable number of rural communities who are at least five years behind.
The word ‘community’ in ‘community broadband’ gives a good indication of why we need to encourage the growth of next generation access: communities currently need to be thriving in terms of business and social interaction and better ICT infrastructure can help this happen. Even cottage industries and farms that we have a tendency to think of as stuck in the past and technology-resistant could benefit hugely from better access to the internet. They could tap into new audiences interested in their products. They could create online forums for discussion of the ups and downs problems in their sector.
Please visit http://www.broadbandvantage.co.uk/ for further information about this topic.
http://www.broadbandvantage.co.uk/
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