New York State Council for Universal Broadband Testifies on Broadband Status During Public Hearing

ALBANY, NY (12/18/2008)(readMedia)-- The New York State Chief Information Officer and Office for Technology (CIO/OFT) announced that on December 10, 2008, during a public hearing of the Assembly's Governmental Operations Committee, members of the New York State Council for Universal Broadband reviewed the implementation of initiatives for universal broadband access.

During the hearing, chaired by Assemblywoman RoAnn Destito, Committee Chair, members of the New York State Council for Universal Broadband presented updates on the status of the Broadband Strategy implementation over the past year since the Council was created. Also, they educated the Assembly Committee on broadband initiatives so they can make future policy recommendations. The Governmental Operations hearing is part of a process to review CIO/OFT's implementation of the Universal Broadband Initiative, as funded in the SFY 2007-2008 and SFY 2008-2009 state budgets.

During her testimony, Dr. Melodie Mayberry-Stewart, New York State Chief Information Officer, Director of the Office For Technology and Chair of the Council for Universal Broadband stressed the importance of providing affordable universal broadband access for all New Yorkers and increasing the level of digital literacy to improve our global competitiveness. Dr. Mayberry-Stewart also gave the status of New York State's competitiveness nationally and globally and made recommendations for future policy initiatives.

"Broadband is a critical engine for communities to enhance their social and economic well being. It is imperative we close the digital divide gaps and address existing inequalities in broadband access," said Dr. Mayberry-Stewart. "I thank Assemblywoman RoAnn Destito and the Assembly Committee for providing an open venue to discuss policies, strategies and alternatives that support the strategic goals of the Council for Universal Broadband."

"I am very pleased the Broadband Council was able to provide my Assembly Colleagues and I with a comprehensive overview of their activities since the creation of the state's Council for Universal Broadband," Assemblywoman RoAnn Destito (D/WF-Rome) explained. "During these difficult economic times, I believe that New York State needs to invest in economic development infrastructure opportunities, such as expanding access to broadband capabilities to all parts of our State and all sectors of our society, as a way to maximize the benefits received from our taxpayer's dollars."

During the hearing, Edward Hemminger, CIO for Ontario County and CEO of the Finger Lakes Regional Telecommunications Development Corporation, who also serves as Vice-Chair of the E-Government State Applications for Low-Income Households Action Team of the Council for Universal Broadband, discussed the need to build the remaining 120 miles to complete a 180-mile fiber ring in Ontario County for economic development and public services. The 180-mile fiber ring will connect police, fire, education, healthcare, municipalities, and businesses county-wide.

"The Finger Lakes Regional game plan is to be competitive, not only nationally, but also globally. Thus, we need a fiber optic ring infrastructure to support "advanced" connectivity region-wide," said Mr. Hemminger. "The infrastructure being built will provide the backbone for significant telecommunications services for the next quarter of a century. The lack of affordable broadband is a nation-wide issue. Ontario County is proactively addressing this vital issue."

Michael J. Borges, Executive Director of the New York Library Association and Chair of the Digital Literacy and Community Outreach Action Team of the Council for Universal Broadband, discussed the components of the Broadband Strategy Consumer Outreach and Digital Literacy Plan to encourage internet use by underserved populations and communities. "It is important for New Yorkers of all ages to know how to use technology and the internet to learn and work in a digital world. To this end, the Council for Universal Broadband has proposed for the statewide adoption of Digital Literacy Standards that establish basic competency levels and skill sets needed to use the internet effectively and safely," said Michael J. Borges.

In his testimony, Robert McNary, Regional Director of the Finger Lakes Office of Empire State Development and the Executive Director of the Division of Community and Sustainable Development, who also serves as Vice-Chair of Broadband Council Economic Development and IT Workforce Action Team of the Council for Universal Broadband discussed the major accomplishments of the Action Team during the past year, including analysis of a statewide survey of economic development organizations regarding the deployment of broadband in communities across the State and the perceived impact on economic development opportunities.

Lastly, Edward Reinfurt, Executive Director of the New York State Foundation for Science, Technology and Innovation and Chair of the Governmental Initiatives Action Team of the Council for Universal Broadband, recommended three fiscally neutral policy recommendations to help the State move forward in providing universal broadband access. "The state's investment in infrastructure should be leveraged in all possible ways to encourage and reduce the cost of broadband access. We recommend any current statute or regulation that restricts the use of these assets be reexamined to expand broadband access to all New Yorkers," said Edward Reinfurt.

December 6, 2008 marked the one year anniversary since the New York State Council for Universal Broadband was formed. The New York State Council for Universal Broadband is responsible for developing strategies to ensure every New Yorker has access to affordable, high-speed internet service. The focus of the New York State Universal Broadband Initiative is to increase broadband access and improve computer literacy throughout the State to achieve and sustain national and global competitiveness.

# # #

About CIO/OFT

The State Chief Information Officer and Office for Technology (CIO/OFT) provide statewide IT strategic direction and centralized IT services to the State and its governmental entities. CIO/OFT provides IT services to support the missions of state agencies 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, including more than 90,000 telecom users, 50 statewide applications, a secure network of over 1,600 miles of owned and leased fibers, including mainframe operations, telecommunications, internet and intranet provisions, email, IT training, networking, and data storage and processing. In addition, the agency has a world renowned project management practice, assists with application development, and sets technology strategy and policies for the state enterprise. For more information, visit http://www.oft.state.ny.us/.