Working on ways to get everyone in the US wired

A Q&A with Jim Stegeman of CostQuest. He estimates that about 10 percent of Americans don't have access to the Internet via a broadband or high-speed connection. While that may not sound like a lot, that's still 30 million Americans. And it is his job to figure out ways to lower that number. The 10-year-old firm recently landed a $1.7 million contract with Alabama to figure out the best ways to expand broadband access for that state's rural population. CostQuest has done previous studies for states such as Wyoming, and also does such surveys for Internet providers in the private sector. And since the Obama administration has made broadband access a priority - and possibly could fund such expansions as part of its economic stimulus package - Stegeman is even busier than ever. In addition, his eight-person firm could also be growing in the coming year to keep up with the demand.