Michael Coren examines the influence of internet connection speeds on economic production and the reasons why he believes "broadband will become the interstate highways of the 21st century."
Coren explores the findings reported in a new study, conducted jointly by Ericsson, Arthur D. Little and Chalmers University of Technology in 33 OECD countries, that sought to quantify the isolated impact of broadband speed.
The results of the study showed that doubling the broadband speed for an economy increases GDP by 0.3%. While that may not seem like much at first glance, it corresponds to more than one seventh of the average annual OECD growth rate in the last decade. Furthermore, the study reports that for every 10 percentage point increase in broadband penetration, GDP increases by 1 percent.
According to Coren, broadband will significantly change the ways in which a whole host of sectors do business, with an impact similar to that of the interstate highway system, providing "infrastructure that radically improves the exchange of valuable goods (or services and ideas) leading to explosive economic growth over time."
"As broadband becomes ubiquitous, and faster, everything from retail to government services may find ways to reinvent itself, especially in knowledge-based sectors where such speed and efficiency can enhance competitiveness."
Read the full story: Want To Boost The Economy? Boost Internet Speeds
Do You Live in an ISP Monopoly?
Almost 9 million Americans live in an area with only one option for internet providers.
Report: Transportation Emissions Sully California's Environmental Reputation
There's good and bad news from an annual assessment on the Golden State's economy and environment. Gross domestic product per capita increases as emissions per capita decrease, with the major exception of emissions from transportation.
Mapping the Gap Between Broadband Access and Broadband Subscription
Not everyone that has access to high-quality Internet infrastructure is making use of it.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
‘Going backwards:’ Baltimore mayor, students rally against state's transit funding plan
Maryland's proposed six-year plan provides no funding for Baltimore’s BMORE bus program and reduces its road maintenance funding.
Detroit to transform waterfront with $2.2 billion investment
Developers will convert about 18 acres of unused parking lot space into civic spaces.
Minnesota seeks to replace fraud-ridden Housing Stabilization Services with new program
Federal prosecutors have charged over a dozen people in fraud cases involving at least $26 million.
A multi-billion dollar problem is brewing under Oakland’s streets
Oakland’s stormwater drainage systems are in desperate need of upgrades and repairs. The El Niño will only further strain the city’s infrastructure.
$2 trillion in economic growth may hide in ‘micropolitan communities’
Small cities hold 39% of America’s population, but receive only 10% of U.S. venture capital investment.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
One Hundred Miles
County of Mendocino
planning NEXT
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
Montrose County
Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA)
The Pocatello Development Authority