Illinois Governor Pat Quinn’s vision for broadband Internet is simple: He wants to see world-class networks in every community.
That vision is moving closer to reality with the launch of the state’s pioneering public/private partnership between state and local governments, Norlight Telecommunications, Motorola and Royell Communications to bring high-speed, affordable broadband Internet service to rural Macoupin and Montgomery counties. Norlight will supply the infrastructure, Motorola the equipment and Royell the retail service. Wholesale service to existing Internet providers will also be available. Service is expected to be available in 2010.
Quinn said the pilot partnership, part of the Vince Demuzio Broadband Initiative, would ensure high-speed broadband Internet is offered in the two counties – even though they lack a large concentration of customers. The idea is that affordable broadband service will allow Macoupin and Montgomery counties to attract new kinds of capital to the region and stimulate economic development.
“The future of Illinois depends on our ability to use the latest in technology,” Quinn said during a recent speech announcing the partnership, “and I am proud to say the people of Macoupin and Montgomery counties will not be left offline. Everybody in, nobody left out – that’s my philosophy.”
As chairman of the Illinois Broadband Deployment Council, Quinn is hoping the Vince Demuzio Broadband Initiative project partnership represents the first of many more to come, especially as the state has been very active in planning for a broadband future. For example, the “Illinois Jobs NOW!” public works program includes $50 million for broadband deployment, while the state government has committed an additional $40 million to help fund 16 other broadband-based projects. (According to broadband.Illinois.gov, the $40 million in state-committed funding is conditioned on how much American Recovery & Reinvestment Act first-round broadband stimulus funding is obtained.)
At the Knight Center of Digital Excellence, we encourage our communities to seek new and innovative ways to ensure broadband Internet is provided to all citizens and utilized properly to maximize its benefits. Public/private partnerships are often the cornerstone to a successful community broadband initiative.
