After hearing testimony last week on the lack of technology access in northern Minnesota, it became clear the digital divide still exists and must be crossed in order to remain a functional part of modern society.
State legislators held a hearing in Park Rapids to listen to testimony from northern Minnesotans on the need for increased technological access.
American culture has shifted to place a priority on connectivity. Prospective new residents, especially the younger generation, demand high-speed access to the Internet and reliable cellular coverage in homes and businesses.
Many businesses depend on Web access to compete in a global marketplace. Items manufactured here can now be sold across the country with relative ease. This proves doubly true for information-based employees, who can gather and disseminate information from almost anywhere through the Internet.
Internet access impacts the area in other economic ways, as well. Visitors are demanding access to the Web and cell phone usage with increasing frequency. Area resorts need to accommodate guest demands in order to compete with other, more wired areas.
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The issue is not merely a product of recreational preferences; in today's world, digital communications have become a safety issue.
People rely on the ubiquity of cellular phones to stay in contact with people. This contact includes communications with emergency services, when necessary.
In the northern part of the state, cellular reception remains spotty, at best. Increasing coverage should remain a high priority for legislators. Before, an injury while outdoors often precipitated disaster. Now, having coverage while in the woods could potentially save lives.
It's too bad commissioners balked at the opportunity to lease tower space on public land earlier this year. The additional coverage would most certainly have provided additional economic and safety benefits for both residents and visitors. Instead, commissioners focused on squeezing out the maximum amount of revenue from the lease agreement.
Wired and wireless technology is quickly becoming as indispensable as electricity or indoor plumbing. Creating a reliable network for electronic communication is an important step for the development of our community. We need to be looking for ways to build bridges across the digital divide.
