Broadband Opportunities for Disadvantaged Businesses

On August 18, the Federal Communications Commission conducted its Broadband Workshop on "Opportunities for Disadvantaged Businesses, which examined whether small and disadvantaged businesses are ready to take advantage of new and existing broadband technologies. The first panel consisted of representatives from various Chambers of Commerce, from the Small Business Administration, and from business leaders familiar with the broadband needs of rural communities. These panelists discussed what is currently known about broadband technology in their constituent communities, and how they can assist small and disadvantaged businesses in their effort to increase broadband adoption. The small and disadvantaged business community requires services developed with a focus on local communities. Although broadband technology represents an additional cost for small businesses, without these technologies, their businesses may be unsustainable in the modern marketplace. The second panel consisted of small business leaders who are in the technology solutions business. These panelists discussed the various ways they help businesses grow by using broadband technology. They stressed the need for digital literacy and how we must make broadband relevant in the daily lives of people in unserved and underserved communities and not just for entertainment purposes. The third and final panel consisted of entrepreneurs who currently own and operate small businesses that use broadband technology to remain competitive in their industries.