If our goal is to provide maximum access to the information highway to those who cannot afford it, then we must reach farther into the underserved communities. Two groups, community-based organizations and community networks, already have firm ties to their communities. Community-based organizations are embedded within the communities they serve. Thus, in addition to advocating on behalf of their constituencie s, they can function as meeting places, recreation areas and learning centers. This makes them ideal locations for access sites.
Community networks build the roads on which people travel to get to various sites.
However, they are also content providers and discu ssion forums. They post valuable information about their communities on electronic bulletin boards and provide e-mail service to network members. These institutions are already in place. The proposed service discounts and educational reimbursements would create an incentive for hundreds of Wisconsin community-based organizations to use advanced technology to get information to underserved populations. A final reason for Wisconsin to support community-based organizations and community networks is because the federal government has failed to do so.