Connect Appalachia to extend broadband to underserved communities

This past Tuesday, Congressman Zach Space (OH-18) introduced the Connecting Appalachia Broadband Plan, which will bring broadband technology to a wide range of underserved communities.

Connecting Appalachia represents a shining example of the type of program that could be funded under the Broadband Technologies Opportunity Program, which is included in the current draft of President Obama's economic stimulus bill.

The program is actually a combination of four projects: expanding the Southern Ohio Healthcare Network (SOHCN), constructing wireless broadband towers to provide consumer access in rural Ohio, linking industrial parks directly to the SOHCN and getting funding to purchase telemedicine equipment.

Health care is a particular challenge in Ohio's Appalachian counties as patients in those regions often live long distances away from medical care.

Wireless broadband is drastically lacking in the Appalachian region and is a highly useful way to increase access in areas where wired Internet is impossible or highly impracticable.

Rep. Space describes the plan as a "comprehensive approach" using broadband to boost the economy, Internet literacy and other goals for people in Appalachia. Congress' passage of the economic stimulus package and the Connecting Appalachia Broadband Plan will revitalize the region and bring Appalachia into the 21st Century.

Space unveils Connecting Appalachia Broadband Plan (Coshocton Tribune)

Broadband funding included in Senate stimulus bill (Speed Matters)