Broadband
 |
|
|
A strong and diversified economy requires an advanced broadband communications structure which will serve as the backbone for a true information economy. We need to hook-up our hospitals and empower telehealth. We need to interconnect our schools and make on-line classes a reality. We need to have the infrastructure in place so that Bishop Street and Front Street can communicate with Wall Street. We need to enable young digital filmmakers in Wai`anae to work with those in Hollywood or Bollywood. A 21st Century information highway is essential to creating the kind of high-paying jobs we want in the coming years. Currently, Hawai`i lacks the kind of bandwidth required for competitive advancements in education, health care diagnosis and treatment, public safety, research and innovation, civic participation, creative media, e-government, and overall economic development.  In planning for that future, the Lingle-Aiona Administration has worked with the Broadband Task Force to craft a bill that recognizes the convergence of technologies that are used to provide voice, data and video services through wireline, wireless, cable television and satellite infrastructure. The bill consolidates regulation of communication services under one regulator - a new Hawai`i Communications Commission that will expedite the availability of the latest communications services at the earliest possible time to the residents of Hawai`i. The Commission will be funded from existing fees and will be directed to achieve specific goals, including creating access on a competitive basis at reduced prices, increasing service penetration and quality, and providing access to businesses and residents by 2012 at prices and speeds equivalent to the average speeds available in the top three countries in the world. |
Key Legislation »
Important Facts »The Hawai`i Communications Commission will:
Related Information » |
