How
Is Technology Tied to Aurora's Future Success?
“The next generation of broadband will make new applications possible
and more established applications more compelling. But we won’t get there
by wishful thinking; everyone involved in the Broadband Internet – users,
network providers, content and applications developers and policymakers –
must continue to be missionary in driving infrastructure deployment and compelling
applications if our Nation hopes to stand among the leaders of the Information
Age. Our national broadband policy seeks to promote investment in diverse,
faster and more sophisticated Internet and related digital technologies. This,
in turn, will foster economic growth, innovation and empower American consumers
to make more choices in how they live, work and play”.
Those were the remarks of Chairman Michael K. Powell last year
when he was the head of the Federal Communications Commission during a symposium
on Digital Broadband Migration.
In
How do we make sure we remain in synchronicity with all of these developing
areas? We do so by investing in our technology infrastructure and insuring
our technological foundation is suitable for attracting high technology businesses
and internet savvy citizens who depend on these very technologies as a part
of their every day lives. Neighboring communities are doing so today. Nationwide,
municipal wireless and fiber optic networks have reached their “tipping point”.
One of this nations global technology leaders, Intel, has stated in recent
documents that the momentum that has been achieved can no longer be stopped.
Another global high technology equipment manufacturer, Cisco, has announced
and began worldwide marketing of their vision for wireless mesh networks such
as the City of
Infrastructure has historically been viewed as roads, highways, bridges,
airports, rail lines, water supplies, and water treatment facilities. But
today, and into the foreseeable future, our digital information based global
economy requires that a technology infrastructure is viewed in a newly prioritized
fashion.
Approximately fifty-five years ago,
Today, a very similar strategy is being investigated regarding broadband
infrastructure. As in the past, the same principles hold true; the cities
that are not connected will not thrive.
Discussions are already underway at the highest level of government that
would create a national broadband highway system. The reality is fast approaching.
Broadband:
1. Allows improved access to education – enabling people in rural or remote areas to take classes at far away universities and school children to have full time access to knowledge – not just when they are in school.
2. Allows improved access to medical services, through telemedicine applications – enabling communities everywhere to have virtual communications to the top doctors and medical facilities.
3. Is a required facilitator to the new age of economic development – enabling new jobs so that people can stay and find work in the communities in which they live.
4. Allows Government to be more accessible and supportive of the communities they serve.
A report entitled “It's Not Just Roads and Bridges” by Robert D. Atkinson (Progressive Policy Institute- www.ppionline.org) outlines the four big fixes required to jump start and sustain economic development.
An extract of that article follows;
There are four main kinds of New Economy infrastructure investments that have large national benefits: new kinds of physical infrastructure; advanced technologies embedded in old economy physical infrastructure; information technology infrastructures; and science, engineering, and technological knowledge available to industry.
1. New kinds of physical infrastructure. The first physical improvement we need is the expansion of broadband connections. Government should support the rollout of next-generation, high-speed broadband through policies such as tax credits (for individuals or companies) or public-private partnerships in which companies commit to rolling out broadband networks in more localities in exchange for free rights of way along highways. Another physical investment target should be wireless communications. Advanced wireless telecommunications infrastructure will enable people to use wireless communications for a wide array of new applications, including high-speed access to the Internet.
2. Infuse advanced technology into old economy infrastructures. Building an infrastructure for the New Economy means infusing our concrete and steel infrastructure with advanced technology. At the same time, we need to move our electrical grid into the high-tech era with smart electricity systems.
3. Information technology infrastructures. New Economy infrastructures also involve creating new national information technology-based network infrastructures.
4. Science, engineering, and technological knowledge. Infrastructure also encompasses the science, engineering, and technological knowledge available to industry. Just as manufacturing companies used
the highway and port systems to get their goods to market in the old economy, technology-based firms use publicly available knowledge and practices to boost their innovative capacity.
The
technology initiatives put forth by Mayor Thomas Weisner are a bold and assertive
attempt to insure