Guest blog post by Anna M. Gomez, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information and
Deputy Administrator, National Telecommunications and Information Administration
This
week I
had the opportunity to participate in a panel discussion hosted by the National
Organization of Black Elected Legislative Women, or NOBEL, that examined how broadband is
helping to address many of America’s most pressing
challenges.
A robust broadband
infrastructure is critical for America to remain competitive in the
21st century. Broadband provides a foundation for innovation, job
creation and economic growth. Broadband is also transforming healthcare by
enabling patients in rural areas to consult with medical specialists hundreds of
miles away. It is opening doors in education by allowing students to take online
classes at universities across the country. And it is changing the way we
communicate, form personal connections, access information, shop and conduct
many everyday transactions.
The Obama administration is working to ensure that more Americans have the resources and
skills to share in these benefits and opportunities. This is particularly
critical in today’s job market, since many job openings are posted only online
and since digital literacy skills are a requirement in many
workplaces.
One highlight of the administration’s work in this area is the Broadband Technology Opportunities
Program, or BTOP, a Recovery Act program administered by the NTIA that is
investing nearly $4 billion in roughly 230 projects to expand broadband access
and adoption across the country. These projects are building networks in rural
America and other places where existing systems are inadequate, and connecting
schools, hospitals and other vital community anchor institutions. They are
opening computer centers in schools, libraries and other public buildings to
provide broadband access for people who want to go online but lack the resources
at home. And they are teaching computer and digital literacy skills, providing
online job search and resume writing assistance, and even training people for
technical jobs in the information-age economy.