Creative Orientation Means Success In Broadband and Telehealth

Two years ago I wrote that community broadband builders have two options for network deployment: they could use the problem-solving approach or the creation orientation approach. The problem-solving approach is typical when people deal with the government. The goal is often to make something go away. “Make my taxes go away.” “Make this pothole problem go away.” "Our broadband costs too much, coverage is iffy and customer service sucks!" When community leaders treat broadband only as a problem to be solved, they likely shortchange the technology’s value. Once the network buildout is done, innovative uses for the network become someone else's problem.  Luckily, solving the problem of poor broadband availability has justified the investment for many communities. But how much money - figuratively or literally - have they left on the table in terms of subscriber fees, economic benefits, etc.?

[Craig Settles is a broadband business planner who helps communities get more from their broadband investment]