Study: broadband boosts jobs, but not salaries

According to a new study from the Public Policy Institute of California, broadband creates jobs within local economies and particularly in sparsely populated areas or within industries that rely more on information technology. But the expansion of high-speed Internet doesn't impact the rate of employment -- the percentage of people employed -- nor average pay of local residents. "A possible explanation: As broadband expands job opportunities in a region, workers follow by moving in from elsewhere or commuting to fill the jobs," PPIC said. Researcher Jed Kolko also found that expanded broadband availability has not increased the likelihood that workers telecommute, bring work home or have home-based businesses.