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For Immediate Release: June 11th, 2004 Contact: Contact: Jordan Isenstadt (c) 516.991.3842 (w) 212.490.9535 (f) 212.490.2151 ***PRESS RELEASE*** State Senator Liz Krueger Lauds Intelligent Community Forum;
Sees Bright Future for Broadband Technology in New York New York, NY – Saying
“the future of New York will rest upon our collective commitment to broadband
technology,” State Senator Liz Krueger (D-Manhattan) praised the work
being done by the Intelligent Community Forum (ICF). From June 10th-11th,
the ICF sponsored the Intelligent Community Conference & Awards (ICCA)
at the Marriot World Financial Center.
The
ICCA is the annual
conference that explores the strategies and best practices needed to
transform cities and towns into “Intelligent Communities” or wired cities
ready to prosper and grow in the Digital Age. The focus is upon broadband and its vital role as the “new
infrastructure.” To the average consumer, broadband can be defined as
high-speed access to the Internet.
More specifically, broadband is cable modem and DSL service, along
with new wireless and satellite options.
“The fact is that communications bandwidth or broadband, is quickly
becoming the new essential utility, as vital to economic growth as reliable
electricity,” stated Senator
Krueger. “Whereas communities once built seaports, railroad stations,
airports and highways, many now view the teleport – the hub of broadband
communications – as the new key to prosperity.” ICCA brings together the public and private sector to discuss
policies, understand how to do business together and build the type of
communities that will retain and attract business and knowledge workers now
and in the years to come. Senator Krueger sat on the
Advisory Board. “The cutting edge
work that ICF has accomplished is remarkable,” said Senator Krueger. “I am excited to continue working with
these and other outstanding organizations who are leading the charge to
revolutionize the technology that has become so essential to our lives. I plan to explore legislative initiatives
to create a cohesive vision and set of goals for broadband deployment
throughout New York State.” New York has always been a
leader in broadband deployment, dating back to the City’s emergence as the
world’s modern-media capital and the development of the first real broadband
format, television. The needs of
media companies and those of New York’s other prominent industries,
advertising and finance, necessitated the early adoption of broadband
technologies that facilitated intra-office transactions and
business-to-business commerce. Access
to this essential technological infrastructure fostered economic growth, and
the expansion of broadband-reliant industries was an essential component of
New York City’s recovery from the dramatic decline in manufacturing in the
1980s. Indeed, the first broadband
teleport was built in Staten Island in 1985.
More recently, broadband technologies have accelerated the growth of
new media companies in New York City, and the incubation of companies along
“Silicon Alley” is a direct result of this high-speed infrastructure. “New York must continue to foster economic
development and performance by investing in and employing more broadband
technologies,” stated Senator Krueger. “Despite its heritage of technological advancement and early
broadband deployment, New York’s technological infrastructure policies have
often been reactive, not proactive.
If the City wants to remain a world leader in advanced technologies,
it must change this decision-making methodology and continue to shift its
priorities to a stronger concentration on the future proliferation of
broadband.” “Having already been designated as the Intelligent Community of
the Year in 2001, New York has demonstrated that it is particularly well
equipped to enhance its stewardship of effective and innovative
technologies,” remarked Senator Krueger. “With its proximity to Wall Street capital, an educated
workforce, and a wealth of telecommunications connectivity, New York is
prepared to embark upon an informed and comprehensive broadband planning program
in conjunction with other energy and economic development programs.” “I consider broadband
proliferation to be an important issue that is too often neglected in general
policy discussions,” stated Senator Krueger. “I hope that I can work with all concerned parties to ensure
that the future of New York City is one marked by fully wired growth.” To
learn more about the ICF and the ICCA, go to www.intelligentcommunity.org. -30- |
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