Chamber Initiates Broadband Dialogues

In a nationwide effort to make technology work for people, business and communities, the U.S. Chamber and national nonprofit Connected Nation, Inc. have kicked off a six-capital city road show to illustrate the benefits of more widely available broadband. (That includes a yet-to-be-scheduled date in Olympia.)

The Connect! campaign will create a national dialogue on how broadband technology can create a better business environment, more effective economic development, improved healthcare, enhanced education and a more efficient government.

Those who've read this blog before can recollect the previous (and continuing) effort by Speed Matters, an effort of the Communications Workers of America, to establish a database for broadband definition, with the aim to set a federal standard. Speed Matters awards credit to participating respondents of its survey for passage by the Washington legislature and signing by the Governor for adoption of SB 6428, the High Speed Internet Initiative.

The results from taking Speed Matters test for download (6913 kbps) and upload (981 kbps) speeds from our downtown Tacoma office. Perhaps even more interesting that the actual kbps are the comparative charts a test taker gets with his/her results and Washington State, U.S. and select foreign countries average results. On the other hand, it is disconcerting, in checking one of the interactive features that displays speeds by census tract within the county and/or zip codes to be substantially below our experiences (a factor of 10x for download and 4x for upload.) Makes you wonder if that last mile supposedly measured is influenced by other factors like the few feet within the building or a person's/company's server capability?)

You have to determine if any exposure to future advocacy emails is a valid concern before you "take the test." For my experience, it has not been a burdensome or invasive exposure. And, you can intentionally sign-up to receive new information.