Large sections of Washington are still not connected to high speed Internet

Across Washington, large sections of the state are still without high speed Internet connections. The answer to the problem, according to CWA and others, lies in reliable mapping of which areas are connected, which areas have a connection that is too slow, and which areas have no connection at all. Once it’s clear which areas are which, Washington can figure out how to address its needs.

“In the metropolitan areas including Spokane, I would give Washington state an A,” said Rep. John McCoy, D-Tulalip, a former White House computer technician. “But when we get out to the rural areas it is all D’s and F’s. We have some work to do.”

The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission will release a report on high speed Internet use and availability in five counties next month, to be followed by a comprehensive, Legislature-mandated undertaking of a full-state high speed Internet map. The mapping will be followed by solutions to make sure the whole state is covered, according to the legislation.

”The goal is to put together a strategy for what the state needs to do so every single school, residence and business has access to high-speed Internet,” said Marcus Courtney, president of WashTech, a high tech workers union affiliated with Communication Workers of America. “Washington is at risk of falling behind other states because people do not have access.”

Statewide initiatives to map Internet accessibility and then address shortfalls have proved effective over and over again. This legislation was passed thanks to the tireless advocacy of WashTech/CWA and with the help of members like you using portals such as SpeedMattersWashington.org to contact your state officeholders. Despite the current shortfalls, and thanks to the hard work done to pass this legislation, Washington is well on its way to statewide high speed Internet access.

State hopes to increase access to high-speed Internet (Herald Net)

Speed Matters Washington (Speed Matters)

WashTech/CWA (WashTech.org)