Washington working on expanding high speed Internet access

The Washington State Utilities and Transportation Commission just released a report on high speed Internet adoption, use, and availability in five Washington counties. The report was mandated by the state Legislature, and it was developed by CBG Communications in consultation with representatives from telecom companies, universities, local governments, public interest groups, and state agencies and utilities.

The study found that the major issues affecting high speed Internet access in Washington include low population density, long distances to population centers, rough terrain, lack of profit potential for telecoms, lack of coordination between state and local authorities and the service providers.

Moreover, the study found that once high speed Internet becomes available in a region, residents are quick to take advantage of this technology. According to a letter that accompanied the report from the Commission to the Legislature:

"CBG also determined that broadband adoption follows availability; meaning that where broadband availability and options are plentiful, consumer use of broadband service and the value of such use expands significantly."

In order to meet that goal, the state Legislature -- with CWA's strong support -- passed SB 6438 earlier this year, which directs the State to follow up on this report's findings by convening a work group that will develop a strategy for expanding high speed Internet to all Washingtonians.

CWA will continue to have a strong voice in this process, as CWA's own Gail Love has been appointed to this working group. The group first convenes July 9th, and it is charged with developing a strategy by December 1st.

It is clear that a major piece of the strategy they develop will be strong government involvement in breaking the digital divide. As the CBG report found,

"According to CBG, without technological changes that might reduce broadband infrastructure costs, some level of government support will be necessary to expand broadband service throughout the rural areas of the five counties subject to the Study."

So far Washington's state government has made important progress in expanding high speed Internet access. But achieving universal access will require continued commitment from both the state government and telecom companies.

Large sections of Washington are still not connected to high speed Internet (Speed Matters)

Broadband Study (Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission)

Broadband Study Report (Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission)

Broadband Study Transmittal Letter (Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission)