Is Maryland E-ready?

By RenŽe M. Winsky



A year ago, the Maryland Technology Development Corporation's (TEDCO) "eReadiness Maryland: Assessing our Digital Opportunities" project released metrics on Maryland's technology usage, access and communications infrastructure among businesses and households. Despite the fact Maryland ranks above most states, there are many inconsistencies in technology access and usage throughout the state. Households and businesses in western Maryland, southern Maryland and the Eastern Shore lag behind other areas in their rate of access and usage of high-speed communications, commonly referred to as "broadband."

This access and usage is vital to the future of the state, and each region's economy. Some parts of the state do not have ready access to high-speed bandwidth, a crucial technology that allows businesses an opportunity to compete in the global marketplace. As part of the eReadiness Maryland final report, TEDCO officials provided Maryland's General Assembly with 15 recommendations for moving forward with the data they collected. The first recommendation was to create a statewide task force to better coordinate and leverage current efforts to improve rural access. In the 2003 General Assembly session, HB 697 (SB 487) was passed, creating a "Task Force on Broadband Communications Deployment in Underserved Rural Areas."



Task Force Accountability

The Task Force is charged with:

- Reviewing existing research studies and developments in regions of the country where broadband communications is being deployed for rural communities;

- Evaluating all current resources and infrastructure available in Maryland's rural areas;

- Encouraging the development of goals to deploy broadband communications in rural areas;

- Developing proposals and recommendations for the establishment and enhancement of broadband communications in rural areas;

- Oversight of implementation of recommendations that the Task Force may offer.

It is scheduled to sunset on June 30, 2005.



Task Force Participants

The membership, under the direction of the Governor's office, consists of numerous technology and economic development leaders, including designees from the secretary of the Department of Business and Economic Development (DBED) and chairman of the Public Service Commission, as well as government officials and legislative representatives from the Eastern Shore and western and southern Maryland - areas of the state most lacking in broadband access. In addition, the private sector will have a voice via an advisory panel to the task force.



Surveying Rural Areas

In anticipation of the task force beginning its work this summer, TEDCO, DBED and regional councils began working with TLA Associates to conduct comprehensive demand analysis surveys of businesses and organizations in western Maryland and on the Eastern Shore. These surveys, distributed in April and May, respectively, will provide the necessary data to start identifying investment requirements to implement strategies in these rural regions.

The Task Force is a statewide effort to coordinate activities and aggregate demand to ensure that all Maryland communities, companies and residents have access to the communications infrastructure that will enable economic opportunity and help rural areas retain their most valuable asset: people.



RenŽe M. Winsky is deputy executive director of The Maryland Technology Development Corporation (TEDCO). She may be reached at 410-740-9442 or e-mail rwinsky@marylandtedco.org. To learn more about TEDCO, visit www.Maryland TEDCO.org.