Area governments target increased broadband access

The Central Savannah River Area Regional Agency told the Augusta Chronicle in Georgia recently that more than half of the area does not have access to broadband internet access. To increase availability, the CSRA's Unified Development Agency has applied for federal stimulus money that would be directed toward bringing broadband to the area and increasing internet speed for those who currently have it. President Barack Obama has mentioned increased web access as part of a national plan to improve overall education in recent months. "I call it a fairly aggressive project in that all 13 counties in the region have agreed to work together to try to design a fiber optic ring that would get broadband access to rural areas, certainly underserved," Andy Crosson, CSRA Regional Commission president, told the news provider. On February 23, the Federal Communication Commission announced that its plans for a national broadband system would be made available to the public on March 17. Those without regular web access from an early age are unlikely to develop the level of digital literacy necessary to succeed, experts say.