Why it matters

Imagine being a truck driver in 1930, carrying a load of goods from New York City to Los Angeles. Traveling across the country on two lane roads before the interstate highway system was built was very time consuming and costly. Now imagine that same trip driven by a truck driver in 2011. The trip is far less time consuming and costly due to the expansion of the interstate system. This same comparison applies to internet and data traffic (voice, data, video) and the technology used to transport this information, called “broadband”. Right now, most people in southern Illinois are transporting information on the equivalent of a two-lane road because they are living and working too far away from the nearest “broadband freeway”. What this area needs is an interstate system for our internet access. That’s what we’re doing; building a network of information super-highways through many of the communities in our region, making transportation more accessible by bringing high-capacity broadband closer to many southern Illinoisans. Racing along glass fibers, traveling at light speeds with virtually limitless capacity, this network will provide quicker, more efficient, and less costly broadband access.

With world-class connections, southern Illinois will be in a better position to capitalize on more opportunities. The connectivity to the Community Anchor Institutions (CAIs) is an important part of the project, but is just the beginning. Once completed, Clearwave will continue to connect other businesses, as well as third-party internet service providers, seeking to fill the rural broadband gap. Building this infrastructure is the first step toward our goal of connecting all of southern Illinois with broadband, and making the ever-slow dial-up days a thing of the past.

This project will have a far reaching impact on the region and greatly affect quality of life for those living here. Healthcare practitioners will be able to transfer critical files and images, such as MRIs and CT scans, over the network in a matter of milliseconds, and receive feedback in the same manner. Educators will be able to gain access to the ever growing library of digital content, collaborate and interact with other institutions, gaining access to information and ideas that they otherwise wouldn't have.  More libraries will be able to offer internet access to the public, so that all citizens have access to basic online applications such as email, paying bills, or filling out an online resume to get a job. Our public safety will also improve immensely, in part due to use of the network for implementation of a Next Generation 911 network that will allow public safety officials to answer, locate, and respond to 911 emergency needs from just about any medium, from a regular landline or cell phone call, to text messages and email. And last but not least, economic development will be enhanced by facilitating growth for existing local businesses, attracting new businesses, and providing entrepreneurial opportunities for residents.

Basically, it matters because whether or not we have access to high-capacity broadband affects everyone in southern Illinois. This network will allow us to take a huge leap forward toward leveling the playing field between urban and rural when it comes to being able to move information to and from the rest of the world. Southern Illinois is headed in the right direction in terms of technology, and Clearwave is more than proud to be involved.