read Read

e-mail E-mailprint Print

BROADBAND

THE ISSUE IS. The development of affordable, high-speed broadband access for rural business communities across America.

IT'S IMPORTANT BECAUSE. Affordable broadband-high-speed, always on Internet connectivity-has the potential to drastically improve the way business is conducted in America. In general, broadband applications and services provide businesses with the technology to become more productive and to reach their customers and employees in more convenient and efficient ways.

According to one survey, over 90% of small businesses with broadband service reported that the increased productivity either met or exceeded the financial costs for the broadband service. Some of the positive results from broadband that were cited in the survey included improvements in employee efficiency, customer communication, customer satisfaction, and research abilities.

Broadband could potentially impact businesses in every industry and in every community. For instance, hospitals in rural areas could use broadband to deliver health care in underserved areas, while banks could offer new online banking services to customers. Important to NAMIC members, broadband would also better enable insurance companies and independent insurance agents to use the Internet for claims reporting, claims inquiry, policy maintenance, policyholder communication, and other services.

Many small companies in rural parts of the country currently do not have the infrastructure necessary to support broadband access. Development of this infrastructure is critical to providing small businesses in rural areas with the means to compete, and it would also create jobs and provide economic strength in those communities. For example, the United States Chamber of Commerce estimates that investing in broadband could result in a potential economic benefit of $500 billion annually for the next 10 years.

NAMIC POSITION. It is economically important for small companies in rural communities to have the same access to broadband Internet service as companies in more developed urban or metropolitan areas. NAMIC is supportive of the creation of a national broadband policy that serves to encourage and educate the public and Congress on the need for such a policy and investment in the infrastructure necessary to make it a reality. NAMIC is currently working with corporations, chambers of commerce, and other trade associations in an effort to educate the public and Congress on this vital need for broadband access throughout America. A national broadband strategy would help many of NAMIC's rural company members, as well as their employees, policyholders, and communities.

powered by Google

Legislative Action Network

As a "minuteman," you will be in the know at the critical moment when a call to action is necessary or when decisions are being made on issues like federal regulation of insurance, legal reform, terrorism insurance, asbestos reform and small property/casualty company taxation.

Benjamin Franklin Public Policy Award

Every two years, NAMIC presents their coveted Benjamin Franklin Public Policy Award© to lawmakers who have supported a stronger insurance market at least 75 percent of the time. This is demonstrated based on their support of NAMIC's position on certain roll call votes taken, or being a principal player/sponsor on legislation affected the property/casualty insurance industry, during the previous Congress.