Connect Arkansas, a private, non-profit, is implementing a community-based initiative to promote internet access and education. The Connect Arkansas Broadband Act was signed into law by Governor Beebe on March 28, 2007, to ensure the creation of a competitive broadband, or high speed internet, infrastructure that will not only improve personal lives, but also the economic capabilities and of all Arkansans.
In economic development, education, and healthcare, broadband is a key strategic component.
According to the 2008 State New Economy Index, which ranks states based on their ability to compete in the new economy, Arkansas ranks 47th in the nation. Arkansas also ranks 49th in deployment of broadband telecommunications.
In a statewide survey of 608 registered Arkansas voters, 29% of respondents had “never used the internet,” while another 7% were unsure of what broadband, or high speed internet access, meant. In addition, it has been found that in Arkansas, although ~87% of our population has access, there is a significant percentage of the population (51%) that do not even subscribe to the internet. Many of these individuals cite that it is not relevant to them, while others cite that computer ownership is not important.
To address this issue, on March 28, 2007, Governor Beebe signed the Connect Arkansas Broadband Act into law to ensure the creation of a competitive broadband, or high speed internet, infrastructure. The organization currently focuses its operations in three major areas: mapping of broadband infrastructure, community strategic planning to drive internet adoption, and development of public access points to promote internet use. One of the unique components of this organization is the community-by-community approach used to build and aggregate demand for broadband and the close collaboration with industry to advance the supply of broadband.