|
Connecting to Connect
Connect offers the following tips and suggestions to individuals and local broadband committees to assist in broadband advocacy. - Join the Connect Update email list. Connect periodically emails an update with news, events, announcements and action items regarding broadband access issues impacting western Massachusetts. Please note that the email sent is very dial-up friendly.
- Share your story. Connect collects stories about how the lack of broadband access impacts people's lives and their community. At times, Connect is asked for specific examples of these impacts - businesses not able to file tax returns electronically; high school students not able to apply for colleges online; home-based businesses not able to connect to customers in the global marketplace; residents with disabilities not able to utilize essential communication technologies; town officials not able to complete required government filings; and so much more. If you have a specific example of how the lack of broadband access impacts you, please submit them to Connect at sharon@westernmaconnect.org.
- Thank your local broadband advocate. The lack of basic broadband service availability is frustrating and unacceptable in this day of age. There are many individuals and organizations that have continued to advocate for broadband equity for western Massachusetts. The region is fortunate to have state and federal legislators that understand the impacts of this problem and have continued to champion this cause. Through their efforts and the leadership of Governor Patrick's Administration, the Massachusetts Broadband Institute (MBI) was established in 2008, with a mission to meet the broadband access needs of unserved citizens throughout the Commonwealth. While a solution is not in place yet, it is important to acknowledge the work that has been done to get this issue to the forefront and to encourage the continued momentum to resolve this problem.
- Form a local broadband committee. Connect encourages communities with unserved populations to consider forming a local broadband committee.
- Let Connect know about your local broadband committee. It is very helpful for Connect to have a primary point of contact for each local broadband committee. This point of contact may be an important conduit for information disbursement to the community.
- If you have a particular project in mind, let Connect know. Connect may have some useful advice, direct you to additional resources, connect you to other entities with similar projects, or be able to provide technical assistance.
- Connect with your Town Hall. In some communities the local broadband committee is a formal committee of town government. In other communities, it is a less formal group of concerned individuals. In either case, it is important for there to be a connection between the local broadband committee and the town's public officials.
- Ask not what your town hall can do for you, but... On many of the local broadband committees, there are members that are very technology savvy. If the opportunity allows, see what you can do to support your local town hall or other municipal departments in terms of telecommunications. For example, if the town hall already has access to broadband, perhaps they could use assistance in creating a wireless network for the building that could also be accessed by the public. Another example is conducting an inventory of current telecom spending (voice, internet, fax) for town departments/buildings. There could be a cost savings in aggregating these accounts, and if there is sufficient demand to support the cost of a full or partial T1, it could also be used to support a publicly available wireless broadband hotspot.
- Participate in Cable Negotiations. If you are located in a community that currently has cable television services, the municipality and the cable company re-negotiate the contract every ten years. It is valuable to have someone on the cable negotiating committee to advocate for the unserved residents of the community. On the MA Department of Telecommunications & Cable website, you will find a guide about the cable licensing renewal process and the cable license information for municipalities (including contract term dates).
|
|
|
