Internet Access Is Only Prerequisite For More and More College Classes
By Susan Kinzie
Washington Post
December 31, 2007

Telecommuting Can Help The Planet And Your Sanity

Honolulu Star-Bulletin

December 24, 2007

Click here to read the full article.

Last month, I was in Washington to accept the first prize in the Alliance for Public Technology’s “Broadband Changed My Life” contest on behalf of Sacred Wind Communications Community Connect, a group that serves the Navajo people in New Mexico. I am still pinching myself. It’s hard to believe that I won such a wonderful recognition. What I can tell you though, is that broadband technology has truly opened up the world for many Navajo people in my community in a way that is nothing short of amazing. Speaking just for myself, I can say that broadband has really truly changed my life.

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FiOS Feather In Richard’s Cap

Ft. Wayne Journal Gazette

December 23, 2007

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Achieving Universal Broadband-Policies For Stimulating Deployment & Demand

The Alliance For Public Technology
2007

• Broadband services are no longer a convenience but an essential part of life. They are critical to American competitiveness, educational infrastructures, economic development and innovation, and our quality of life.
• The study recommends adoption of a comprehensive national policy promoting greater broadband deployment across our entire nation.

Click here to read an executive summary of the study.

Click here to read the full study.

Recently, NextGenWeb attended the Emerging Issues Policy Forum in Florida. The purpose of the conference was to promote an open dialogue on telecommunications issues between mayors, consumer groups, and leading industry executives. The conversation centered on how to aid the development of innovative and advanced communications services for consumers. Key topics include: disaster planning, universal service, and state-federal partnerships in telecommunications infrastructure. Participants agreed that the investment and deployment of broadband services can stimulate greater innovation and improve the quality of life of all Americans.

Click Below to Watch Interviews of EIPF Attendees

The Good, the Bad, and the Unknown About Telecommuting – Meta-Analysis of Psychological Mediators and Individual Consequences
Ravi S. Gajendran and David A. Harrison, Pennsylvania State University
Journal of Applied Psychology
2007

• Telecommuting had small but mainly beneficial effects on perceived autonomy, job satisfaction performance, turnover intent, stree and lower work-family conflict.
• There is a downside of telecommuting in that it can harm coworker relationships.   Obstacles are overcome through informed human resources policies.

Click here to read an executive summary of the study.

Click here to read the full text of the study.

Neal Neuberger
President
Health Tech Strategies

USTelecom recently hosted a Webinar titled “Health Care over Broadband: How Telemedicine can improve the Delivery of Health Care Services and its Role in the Health Care Debate”. I co-hosted the presentation with Jon Linkous, Executive Director of the American Telemedicine Association. Here is a quick recap of the topics we discussed €¦

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For immediate release: December 14, 2007
Contact: sauerbach@nextgenweb.org, 202-777-3701

Broadband Applications Credited For Helping to Reduce Crime

WASHINGTON DC — NextGenWeb.org today posted an exclusive podcast interview with Mayor Graham Richard of Ft. Wayne, Indiana.

When Mayor Richard ran for office in 2000, he quickly recognized the powerful improvements high-speed Internet would bring to all sectors of the community- economic, health, education and public safety. Early in his administration, Mayor Richard formed a team dedicated to incorporating technology into the community’s public safety programs. In a few short years, this task force has created a highly mobile and efficient first responder community.

These initiatives created through the use of broadband technology have lowered crime in the Ft. Wayne area to the lowest level in 27 years. Since 2001, the community has had a steady decrease in the crime rate. This year Ft. Wayne experienced a 5.5% decline.

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Recently, the Alliance for Public Technology announced the winner of the “how broadband changed my life contest, an award program which recognizes individuals who, through their testimonials, showed how high-speed Internet access can transform lives. Panelists included, Michael Manley, Outreach Director at the University Of Arkansas For Medical Sciences, Keneth Peres President of the Alliance for Public Technology, and Kevin Celata with the Communication Workers of America. “A common theme in most of the 420 entries received was the importance of broadband,” noted Joy Howell, campaign director of the “Broadband Changed My Life!” campaign. “Technically they could have just told us about their life changing experiences. It was as if they divided their lives into two halves: before broadband and after it. These stories demonstrate that broadband is influencing every aspect of our daily lives.”

Click Below to watch video highlights from the event

Sorraine Hot, First Place Winner
In February 2007 Sacred Wind Communications Community Connect, a non-profit exclusively organized for the benefit of the Navajo people, started a free Internet training center for the Huerfano Chapter. Sorraine Hot became the trainer, responsible for introducing her community to computers and the Internet. After passing Hot’s course, low income families earned a free, refurbished computer. Through this program, Hot helped school age children complete homework assignments and receive As for the first time. She assisted Elders with access to key health care information that otherwise would not be available to them. Hot watched adults and students successfully apply for jobs and college online. Most importantly, she saw her own children, who lived for three years with no telephone or Internet connection, reconnect with their father’s family in St. Louis.

Click Below to watch Sorraine’s Testimony