Connected Nation Accelerates Broadband Opportunities in Rural California

Just a quick post to update on Connected Nation’s efforts in California. The CETF is doing good work and we’re glad to be partnering with them. Have a great weekend.

Today at the 2008 Rural Connection Workshop in Redding, Connected Nation and the California Emerging Technology Fund (CETF) announced a partnership to support broadband acceleration efforts in California’s rural regions. The partnership intends to leverage Connected Nation’s successful experiences working jointly with community leaders and technology companies to implement efforts that ensure rural communities can seize the promise of broadband-enabled opportunities.

Kicking off the partnership efforts at CETF’s Rural Connection Workshop, Connected Nation presented details of its broadband acceleration model and discussed relevant best practices with participants. As identified in recent broadband mapping efforts, rural areas of California typically lag behind more densely populated areas in terms of broadband availability. Community leaders in those areas are working to ensure they too can access the economic and quality of life benefits that accompany access to the technology. Key to closing this gap is identifying and increasing the demand for broadband and implementing programs that improve technology literacy and use, Connected Nation leaders told those attending the workshop.