Broadening the playing field for all through access to the information superhighway is the goal of a statewide wireless and broadband technology study committee.

"Internet access is an important part of economic development, education and people needing to communicate with one another," said state Sen. Brad Hutto, a member of the study committee formed in June. "We want to ensure the rural areas get the same opportunity to connect through the Internet through broadband as people who live in downtown Charleston and Greenville."

The S.C. Technology and Communications Study Committee was formed to evaluate the state's broadband communications infrastructure and assess the need for broadband services in unserved and underserved areas within the state. The 17-member committee is composed of four state lawmakers and others from the private and public sectors.

As part of its task, the committee has been charged with fostering the relationship between the private and public sectors, engaging consultants with expertise in broadband and serving as an advisory committee to the General Assembly.

Hutto said the committee has received testimony from various phone and cable companies, as well as wireless providers, and will hear from universities and schools about their respective needs.

He said all the information provided at the hearings will be reviewed and studied by the committee and will be brought back to state lawmakers for a final decision.

"We believe that to fully function in the 21st century, whether it is running a small business in a rural area or doing homework, people need access, and not just bare access, but fast access, to the Internet," Hutto said.

Hutto said the committee is strictly in an information-gathering mode, but everything will be put on the table.

The committee may not recommend any legislation, but just encourage various agencies to partner, provide subsidies for communications companies to provide services for rural areas or provide those who live in rural areas with subsidies to make broadband access more affordable.

Hutto said the committee will also consider forming cooperatives to provide services in rural areas, much as electric and phone companies have done.

The committee has looked at studies showing that once broadband connectivity increased in rural areas of Kentucky, the number of people with college degrees remaining in the rural areas increased because they were able market and sell through the use of broadband.

Broadband also helps improve educational opportunities by making information readily available for students, Hutto said.

Hutto said the results of the study are expected to be finalized by the end of the year.

In addition, Gov. Mark Sanford has earmarked $2 million to help extend high-speed Internet access to rural communities across the state. The money is to be used for grants and to match private-sector dollars aimed at creating broadband infrastructure in rural areas.

According to the Federal Communications Commission, some form of digital subscriber line, or DSL, is available in 73 percent of the places across the state where phone companies provide services.

Department of Commerce data reveal that broadband development could add nearly 13,000 jobs to the state and increase the gross state product by $4.55 billion.

T&D Staff Writer Gene Zaleski can be reached by e-mail at gzaleski@timesanddemocrat.com or by phone at 803-533-5551. Discuss this and other stories online at TheTandD.com.

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