N.C. Broadband, a division of the N.C. Department of Commerce, served as the major sponsor for the eighth annual N.C. Black Summit, organized by The Alliance of N.C. Black Elected Officials, held April 25-27 at the North Raleigh Hilton.
In North Carolina, as in many states, African Americans are reflected as having lower broadband adoption rates than other populations. In North Carolina’s 2011 Citizen Survey, African American respondents reported the lowest percentage of home Internet access use, the second lowest percentage of households with a home computer, and the lowest percentage of respondents saying they use the Internet at all, anywhere. In response, N.C. Broadband organized sessions at the summit focused on how technology and broadband utilization can impact economic empowerment, education and government efficiency.
“This partnership with the Alliance provided a perfect opportunity for focused discussions about the role technology and broadband utilization can play in empowering individuals, small businesses and communities to help develop and grow their own economic potential, especially in the African American community,” shared N.C. Broadband’s Technical Assistance Director for Eastern North Carolina Dr. Donna Sullivan.
As part of the summit, Governor Pat McCrory’s Chief of Staff Thomas Stith spoke about the Governor’s commitment to economic development. Dr. Nicol Turner-Lee, a national expert on broadband adoption among minorities, gave the keynote address. Turner-Lee created the first National Minority Broadband Adoption Study, which was then cited in the Federal Communications Commission’s congressionally mandated National Broadband Plan.
Broadband providers AT&T, CenturyLink and MCNC participated in the summit, with AT&T North Carolina serving as a sponsor. Funding from N.C. Broadband came from its federal grant from the National Telecommunications & Information Administration.
Also last month, N.C. Broadband participated in discussions on innovations in wireless and broadband technology at a seminar in New Bern on April 24. The workshop, led by the N.C. League of Municipalities along with the Carolinas Wireless Association, focused on evolving telecommunications technology and implications for local governments and citizens. N.C. Broadband Senior Telecommunications Specialist Brian Rathbone served as a panelist and spoke about the need for local governments to work closely with private sector providers by identifying assets that can be leveraged to increase broadband deployment opportunities around the state, as well as identifying barriers preventing service from being deployed. AT&T, American Tower and the NCLM presented on the challenges of, and possible solutions to, the deployment and expansion of 4G wireless networks.