INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND
POLK COUNTY BROADBAND PLAN
Definition of Broadband
INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND
According to the definition in the National Broadband Plan , the term broadband refers to “ high-speed Internet access that is always on and faster than the traditional dial-up access .” 1 Broadband provides higher speeds of data transmission , access to high-quality internet services such as streaming media and interactive services , uninterrupted access that does not block phone lines , and less delay in transmission than dial-up access . From health care to education , public safety to commerce , broadband networks have the potential to dramatically change , enhance , and transform the way we live , work , and play .
Why Broadband is Important
Throughout history , infrastructure networks have served to connect people , places , ideas and products . The development of every great infrastructure network has facilitated American innovation , progress , and prosperity . Before the 1800s , port cities were the world ’ s economic and educational hubs . In the 19th century , the transcontinental railroad system allowed people , goods , and ideas to branch out into new territories , creating new opportunities and encouraging entrepreneurship and prosperity . The 20th century saw the development of large-scale electric grids and the interstate highway system — innovations that , once again , allowed Americans to be more productive , mobile , and opportunistic . Similarly , communications infrastructure — telephony , radio and television — also transformed the American economy and culture . In many ways , the development of the internet at the end of the 20th century represented the culmination of these communication technologies .
As stated by Julius Genachowski , outgoing Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission , “ Broadband is the indispensable infrastructure of our 21st century economy .” 2 Communities and regions that develop their broadband infrastructure will have better , faster access to new ideas , innovations , and technologies . Being connected means having more and better jobs , a stronger educational system , a more efficient government , more effective public safety and health care providers , and a higher quality of life . Planning now to ensure that Polk County ’ s future broadband infrastructure needs will be met is essential for sustainable economic development and prosperity within the county .
Why Broadband Planning is Important for Polk County
Like many areas of transitioning economy and culture , Polk County has experienced a decline in industries that previously provided ample employment . Manufacturing , construction , phosphate mining , and the citrus and cattle industries — former pillars of Polk County ’ s economy — all employ fewer people than they used to . 3 Although this is partly the effect of the global recession that began in 2008 , it is also an effect of a general shift in employment in the United States away from goods-producing industries toward service-providing industries . As employment continues to shift toward industries that require more advanced technological skills and more connectivity , an up-to-date broadband network will be essential for securing economic opportunities and preserving quality of life in the county . Additionally , industries that traditionally have not utilized broadband are becoming more dependent on it . For example , in the citrus industry , mobile devices with broadband connections are used for purposes such as logging worker hours and tracking vehicle locations .
Polk County is geographically large , approximately the same size as the State of Delaware , and consists of urban , suburban , and rural areas , 17 municipalities of varying population , and large areas of very low population density . Planning is essential for any region with such a wide variety of development patterns , in order to ensure that all populations — rural , suburban , and urban — have equitable access to infrastructure and services . In addition ,
1 Federal Communications Commission . “ What is Broadband ?” http :// www . broadband . gov / about _ broadband . html 2 Federal Communications Commission . “ Genachowski Remarks On Plan To Create 100,000 Jobs .” http :// www . fcc . gov / document / genachowskiremarks-plan-create-100000-jobs 3 Bureau of Labor Statistics . Employment data . http :// www . bls . gov / data /
17