TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senators Steve Sweeney and Shirley Turner to authorize local entities to develop wireless broadband infrastructure and contract with private Internet service providers to establish wireless community networks was signed into law today by Governor Jon Corzine.
“With the creation of the World Wide Web came access to a wealth of information that can be available at your fingertips, if you have Internet access. All too often, however, the high cost of Internet service acts as a deterrent, preventing families from accessing the valuable research tool,” said Senator Sweeney, D-Gloucester, Cumberland and Salem. “Internet services and home computing are rapidly becoming necessities, not luxuries – especially if we want our students to be able to compete for educational opportunities.”
“In its relatively short existence, the Internet has revolutionized the way we gather information. While access to this information is truly helpful, it is not always affordable,” said Senator Turner, D-Mercer. “Studies have shown that service costs of government-maintained wireless broadband networks are often half of what is paid for private internet access. Because they are able to take advantage of economics of scale, local municipalities are able to negotiate better prices for internet service than individual consumers, which helps keep the prices low for residents.”