What are the benefits of using internet services to a community?

Answer 1

Public Access:

Community internet increases the number of voices in the public sphere. Using local networks, communities can offer citizens numerous advanced media services for everything from public safety and political forums to church services and Internet radio stations.

Economic Development:

Broadband access has become essential to economic growth, education and health care. Affordable broadband keeps jobs and attracts new businesses. It gives children computer skills to succeed in college and the work force. It expands opportunities for telecommuting and breakthroughs in telemedicine. Competitive Advantage:

The United States is falling far behind other world leaders in broadband availability. We pay more than 10 times as much as the Japanese or Koreans, and in 2007, we fell from 12th to 15th place in broadband deployment in a ranking by the Organization for Economic Collaboration and Development. Community Internet brings innovation and competition to the broadband marketplace. Public Education:

Unlike national telecom companies, community broadband providers can offer educational programs to train residents on Internet use and computing. These services are vital components of broadband deployment for new users who are unfamiliar with these technologies Missed Opportunities: Students at all levels and college students can use the internets rich resources for home and research purposes can some colleges liek MIT are opening up their entire research libraries and documents to the general public around the world. Software Tools: There are many open source and freeware software tools available on the internet tht will benefit communities Knowledge Base: The entire internet is one bif knowledge resource, whether it be for business, government, finance, recipes, scientific formulas, medical advice, if fact, every singe human activity or fact will is available of the internet Bharat Vala Patel (Avdafalia/Lenasia, SA)