Ways in which people can connect to the Internet are constantly growing. What started out as a connection through a phone line and an ISP (Internet Service Provider) has now expanded to broadband connections at home and at work through cable, fiber optics, and copper wire; WiFi (wireless fidelity); WiMAX (a farther-reaching wireless connection); connections through mobile devices like phones and PDAs (personal digital assistants); and satellite connections. Individuals can even go to Internet cafes and pay for an allotted amount of access time, all while enjoying a cup of coffee.

The California Commission on Building for the 21st Century outlines four significant drivers to the successful implementation of technology infrastructure investment in California:

The Digital Divide: Internet access and usage correlates to income and education levels and is divided along socio-economic and sometimes ethnic and cultural lines.  The term digital divide refers to the growing difference between communities and individuals in terms of access, education, and employment opportunities. Limited accessibility has been attributed to a lack of skills, knowledge, financial resources, or disability; limited culturally diverse content and applications; and speed and quality of connectivity.

E-Government: California has become a national leader in the provision of online government services, including online permitting, press releases, and distribution of agency information. The State government must continue to move “online” to increase service choices and reduce costs. Programs like these allow Californians to find information independently and to interact with their government outside of business hours. There is also potential to reduce traffic congestion and save time and energy.

Developing the Physical Infrastructure: Telecommunications and technology infrastructure serve as the data highway for the knowledge-based economy. There is a rapidly growing need for business and private users to be connected anytime, anywhere – at home, at work, and while on the move – resulting in an exponential growth in data traffic and data speed requirements.

Encouraging Entrepreneurship: California’s leadership in the global economy is based on a long history of innovation and entrepreneurship.  Entrepreneurship is fostered through educational institutions, applied research efforts across all sectors, and a supportive business climate. Nurturing these advantages will harbor future innovations and continued entrepreneurial ventures.