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Rhode Island Bill Would Move Toward Statewide Wi-Fi Service

Rice bill could make Rhode Island the first state to go fully "Wi-Fi" and would address digital divide.

In a fast-paced, information-based world that relies heavily on the
latest technologies, it has become more important to support and improve education, health care, public safety and economic security by increasing access to the Internet.

Citing the many advantages to providing Rhode Islanders with public access to wireless internet, Rep. Amy G. Rice recently introduced the Electronic Telecommunication Open Infrastructure Act (ETOPIA), which would create a state innovation center within the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation.

The center would study the technology infrastructure in the state, encourage local governments to strengthen telecommunications and data processing hardware, software and services for both government and private use, and provide matching funds to help pay for technology infrastructure development.

Representative Rice said that municipal wireless Internet, also called "Wi-Fi," would close the digital divide between those with Internet access and those without.

"Access to the Internet, particularly broadband internet access, has become a necessity in today's world," said Representative Rice (D-Dist. 72, Portsmouth, Middletown, Newport). "Individuals and businesses without broadband internet access are at a clear disadvantage, and the numbers show that older, less educated and minority Americans disproportionately lack Internet access. We need to ensure that those who cannot afford Internet access are still able to take advantage of this valuable technology."

Wi-Fi was first developed to be used for laptop computers, but is now increasingly used for more services, including Internet phone access, gaming, and consumer electronics such as televisions, DVD players and digital cameras.

Representative Rice said Wi-Fi would offer more economic opportunities, higher living standards, increased chances to participate in government and public life, and more individual choices for Rhode Islanders.

Currently, there are 68 municipal Wi-Fi networks in 25 states, and at least 135 more are planned, mostly in small towns. However, Wi-Fi is proven to also provide a wide range of benefits to large municipalities.

In 2004, Philadelphia undertook a very successful effort to provide broadband service to all city residents, reasoning that it would not only provide discount service to lower-income households, but would also spur economic development, attract tourists and save money for city agencies.

The technology, said Representative Rice, would also enable all police officers, firefighters and emergency medical technicians to obtain information immediately from computers in their vehicles.

"Wi-Fi provides endless opportunities for residents of Rhode Island," continued Representative Rice. "The ultimate goal of this legislation is to make Rhode Island the first state to utilize a complete Wi-Fi network. The Electronic Telecommunications Open Infrastructure Act would open the door to a very promising and exciting opportunity for our state, and through this measure, I hope that Rhode Island will become a national leader in information technology."

Under the legislation, the innovation center must issue a public report on its study by July 1, 2008, including the current condition of technology infrastructure in the state; strategies for upgrading the infrastructure; options for encouraging technology cooperation and partnerships among state and local government, private business and colleges and universities; expected condition of technology infrastructure if the state does nothing to encourage improvement and recommendations to improve the infrastructure.

Representative Rice's bill has been referred to the House Finance Committee.