A level playing field should be established throughout the state by allowing a county-level Zone to be located in every county. Sustainable growth means something different to almost everyone. Ten years ago, those services included sewer, water, electric and telephone lines, roads, and sometimes rail access. Telecommunications companies have focused most of their initial broadband optical fiber, cellular, and satellite dish investments in the most populated areas of the state where the return on that investment is greatest. Consequently, tier 2, 3,and 4 communities, where population density is much less - have not, in most cases, been connected with even first generation high speed internet access technology.
Copper wire remains their primary connective communications link.
Communities that do not have high speed access to the internet will be left out of the technology and telecommunications revolution. The internet has spawned an era of unprecedented prosperity in the United States and in New York. In just the last five years in New York City for example, employment in the New Media industry has grown from 20,000 to 125,000 workers. Leading high tech companies, such as Corning, IBM, and Global Crossings have all done major expansions in New York in recent years. The ability to have high speed internet access was essential to their decision to invest in New York.