Broadband Changed My Life Series:
A National Blueprint for Technology and the Public Good
November 29, 2007
In the latest event in the Broadband Changed My Life! series the Alliance for Public Technology joined One Economy Corporation in hosting a brownbag lunch focusing on broadband's benefits for low-income populations. The lunch occurred at One Economy's offices and was well attended by a diverse group including congressional staffers, industry representatives, and consumer advocacy groups. Waldo McMillan, One Economy's Vice President of Public Policy, was the featured speaker. Broadband Changed My Life! Campaign Director Joy Howell moderated and Austin Bonner, Director of Communications at One Economy, introduced the proceedings.
APT and One Economy have a long history of working together on the common goal and common mission of universal access to broadband. Bonner pointed out the the lunch was perfect for the the Broadband Changed My Life! series because One Economy is involved with so many projects designed to increase broadband access in underserved communities. They are even working on low-income community broadband development internationally, having recently started projects in Turkey and South Africa.
McMillan took the floor and introduced One Economy's new report, "A National Blueprint for Technology and the Public Good." The report outlines a three part approach to a national technology policy that is consistent with One Economy's core philosophy and mission. According to McMillan One Economy released the report because their successful local projects could be effective on a national level with the right kind of policy support. "While we use technology to help low income people," he said, "we've got to get policy makers thinking in what we term a 21st century way."
One Economy was founded to "provide the technological tools to allow low-income people to better their lives on their own." They have worked since 2000 on a community based approach that uses broadband to bring people into the economic mainstream. By improving access to quality, relevant information, individuals are able to change their lives. Much of their work has involved public housing projects, but that have worked with a variety of rural and urban communities.
The three main features of One Economy's approach mirror the three points of the new report. The first of these points is a call for universal access. Access to broadband is a crucial first step to other social benefits. Their plan calls for full broadband infrastructure in all public housing projects and the inclusion of broadband access as a public housing operating expense. In addition McMillan supports Universal Service Fund reform to ensure all rural communities have broadband. He also emphasized that access means affordable broadband as well as affordable devices and equipment. Calling laptops "the 21st century school book," he proposed a national plan to provide every 6 through 12th grade student with a laptop, an idea that has worked successfully for One Economy's local projects. As McMillan puts it, "We're the richest country in the world, so why don't we provide out children with the resources to stay competitive?"
The second point in the report is developing new technology applications. McMillan observed that "broadband can't change your life if its not relevant to you." In order to meet this challenge One Economy developed a catalogue of web-based content on financial, educational, health related information. The content is interpreted and clarified so that it is useful to local communities. McMillan specifically mentioned one diabetes treatment program where users could log on to a local One Economy website and get video explanations of their insulin monitors from other community members. He also pointed out that locally oriented websites could dramatically improve government services. For example, disaster preparation and response information could be quickly and efficiently distributed. As McMillan put it, "we want to put people online so they don't have to stand in line."
The third major point in the report calls for an expansion of civic participation. Part of this effort for McMillan includes a web based content provider mandated to serve the public interest, similar to the Public Broadcasting Service or National Public Radio. With an online presence of that kind the public would have an interactive media resource for credible and relevant information. Another component of this plan is building local skills and interest in technology. One Economy has successfully implemented a program that trains high school students in computer and networking skills, allowing them to work as community tech support. The program provides relevant job skills and invests local communities in the benefits of technology. McMillan sees an opportunity to expand this program on a national level.
McMillan's presentation was followed up by a question and answer session where attendees were able to share different views on broadband policy. There was a general sense that momentum continues to build for a national broadband policy, even if the issue is still under the radar. APT welcomes One Economy's contribution to this effort. Their new report contains specific proposals that build on proven benefits broadband has had on low-income communities. As McMillan said, "Broadband empowers people. It does change lives because it opens up a new world that people otherwise wouldn't have seen."
