High speed Internet and job growth linked
A new study by the Sacramento Regional Research Institute on behalf of AT&T, shows a "strong correlation between broadband growth in California and the number of new jobs available, forecasting that even small increases in broadband use could substantially affect the state over the next 10 years."
The study showed that along with the 53.6 percent rise in high speed Internet use, and the steady decline of dial up, was an increase in job creation. For every one percent of the adult population using high speed Internet, there is a .075 percent rise in employment growth and a .088 percent rise in payroll.
According to the study, if California were to see strong high speed Internet growth, about 3.8 percent, over the next several years then over the next ten years there would be a total gain of 1.8 million jobs and $132 billion in payroll. High speed Internet use has a powerful effect on economic growth that must not be overlooked.
This study underscores the message of the Speed Matters campaign, and amplifies the need for universal high speed Internet access and an effective national policy. With all of the benefits of national high speed Internet, there is no excuse for the state of US high speed Internet technology to be lagging so far behind.
Sacramento Regional Research Institute Study for AT&T (Report)
Study linking broadband, job creation shows need for coherent US policy (Ars Technica)
TCGplayer workers rally for livable wages and launch a report on poverty-level wages at the eBay subsidiary
Apple retail workers in Oklahoma City win first collective contract with CWA
Labor and public interest groups defend FCC's broadcast ownership rules promoting competition, diversity, and localism on air