New report touts broadband as the backbone of business and economic recovery

A report by the national nonprofit Connected Nation, a Speed Matters partner, released today details the key role broadband plays in business performance, and the role broadband will continue to play in the country's economic recovery.

The report notes that U.S. businesses generate $411.4 billion in online sales, but an estimated 1.8 million business remain unconnected to broadband.

Other top-sheet findings from the report include:

• Nearly one in three businesses (32%) earn revenues from online sales. This translates into more than 2.4 million U.S. businesses
• Broadband-connected businesses bring in approximately $300,000 more in annual median revenues than non-broadband adopting businesses

The report also touched on the role of high-speed Internet in the job market, with over 2.5 million businesses using the Internet to advertise jobs or accept applications.

The report is based on a survey of 7,004 business establishments in nine states.

The 2012 Jobs and Broadband Report (Connected Nation, May 2012)
http://www.connectednation.org/sites/default/files/connected-nation/files/cn_biz_whitepaper2012_final.pdf

Connected Nation Report Details Broadband's Impact on Economy (Connected Nation, May 2, 2012)
http://www.connectednation.org/node/2149

Video: The 2012 Jobs and Broadband Report (Youtube, May 2, 2012)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDjhaCHJiLA