Increased US Broadband Adoption Could Create 2.4 Million Jobs

Ward D points out a story about a recent study that predicts significant economic growth through increased broadband adoption in the U.S. The study is based on a program in Kentucky that has, through the increased use of broadband, "saved an average of more than $200 per person per year" on health-care services, and decreased the average amount of time residents spent driving by 100 hours per month. From Computerworld: "The Connected Nation model ... focuses more on broadband adoption and local needs than huge, government-funded programs. Several Kentucky businesses have benefited from the increased access, according to Connected Nation. Geek Squad, the Best Buy subsidiary, moved its headquarters to Bullitt County, Kentucky, in late 2006 because of the broadband availability."

Comments

Should say miles, not hours

[AlpineR]

From the report:

In the 2007 ConnectKentucky residential survey, 66% of broadband users report driving an average of 102 fewer miles per month because of their online activity.

The error is in the Computerworld article which misstates:

[R]esidents there drove more than 100 fewer hours per month because of transactions done online.

Re:Nice idea, but possibly dubious math

[schnikies79]

I live in a red state (very southern Indiana, and in a very rural area) and hicks or not, they are not dumb rednecks, nor is my community bigoted. Everyone gets along quite well thank you. If you know anything about Indiana, you would know there is a large push to get hi-tech industry here (by a republican governor, oh my gosh), and it's working.

Personally, I don't work in IT and have no desire what-so-ever to be in that line of work (I'm a chemist), but plenty of people are. I'm sorry that you don't like the Midwest, but your stereotypes are just plain wrong. Don't think for a second there is no hi-tech work or expertise.

From my experience, the IT folks are usually the anti-social type and really aren't that fun to be around.