With key leaders from the telecommunications and cable industries standing behind him, Gov. Ted Strickland on Monday launched Connect Ohio, a multi-million dollar public private partnership aimed at bridging what Strickland called Ohio's "digital divide."
The first phase will be working with local communities and service providers to map in detail what parts of the state have broadband Internet access that provides high-speed service and what parts don't, Strickland said.
The first phase will be working with local communities and service providers to map in detail what parts of the state have broadband Internet access that provides high-speed service and what parts don't, Strickland said.
The state will put in $2.9 million in this budget period, which ends June 30, 2009 and expects to put in another $3.9 million in the next two-year budget period, he said.
The $2.9 million represents an estimated 80 percent of the initial costs and plans calls for the remaining 20 percent — about $750,000 — to come from cable and telecommunications companies and other private businesses, said Terra Goodnight, Strickland's executive assistant for transportation, taxation, lottery and broadband.
Strickland said he believes federal dollars also will be available.
The digital divide takes several forms, resulting in lack of access to computers, high-speed Internet access and high skill jobs, Strickland said.
"What we hope to do is bridge the digital divide in ways that will be good for all Ohio communities and all Ohioans," Strickland said.
The goals is to create support for local communities to meet their technological needs while expanding broadband service to all residents and businesses, he said.
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A new world of communications and entertainment is now available to residents in the Columbus area. AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T - News) has announced the launch of AT&T U-verse(SM) in parts of 51 local communities. AT&T is now taking orders for the service and will begin installing services for new customers on Dec. 24. AT&T will continue to increase U-verse availability throughout the area on an ongoing basis.
AT&T U-verse services are currently available in the following local areas: Bexley, Blendon Township, Bloom Township, Brice, Brown Township, Canal Winchester, Clinton Township, Columbus, Concord Township, Dublin, Etna Township, Franklin Township, Gahanna, Genoa Township, Grandview Heights, Grove City, Groveport, Hamilton Township, Harlem Township, Harrison Township, Hilliard, Jackson Township, Jefferson Township, Liberty Township, Lithopolis, Madison Township, Marble Cliff, Mifflin Township, Minerva Park, New Albany, Norwich Township, Orange Township, Pataskala, Perry Township, Pickerington, Plain Township, Pleasant Township, Powell, Prairie Township, Reynoldsburg, Riverlea, Scioto Township, Sharon Township, Shawnee Hills, Truro Township, Upper Arlington, Violet Township, Washington Township, Westerville, Whitehall and Worthington.
AT&T U-verse uses AT&T''s new fiber-rich network to offer cutting-edge television and high speed Internet services. AT&T is the only national provider to offer a 100 percent Internet Protocol (IP)-based television service, making U-verse TV "cooler than cable" and one of the most robust and feature-rich services available today.
AT&T U-verse offers customers a combination of next-generation digital television -- including access to more than 40 High Definition (HD) channels in most markets -- and high speed Internet access. The award-winning AT&T U- verse TV includes cutting-edge features that are unmatched in the market, and the new U-verse enabled AT&T Yahoo! High Speed Internet builds on AT&T''s position as the nation''s largest broadband provider.
"We''ve seen a great response to AT&T U-verse in Cleveland and Akron, and we''re excited for Columbus residents to see what makes U-verse TV cooler than cable," said Steve Mitchell, AT&T vice president and general manager for Ohio. "Now, more consumers have access to a video choice that delivers the content they want -- such as Big Ten Network -- with unmatched features and great value."
Where available, AT&T U-verse TV will offer Columbus customers: -- A compelling variety of TV packages with up to 320 channels to choose from, including digital music, local, movie and sports programming, as well as premium Spanish-language and international packages. Most programming packages include up to three HD-capable receivers - one with a digital video recorder (DVR), which allows customers to pause, rewind, replay and record live TV - at no extra charge. (Customers may add more receivers, up to a total of six, for $5 each a month.) -- More HD programming than the local cable providers. HD technology produces images more than twice as detailed as standard analog TV and offers rich, realistic video and 5.1 channel audio. AT&T U-verse TV offers customers access to a lineup of more than 40 HD channels in most markets, available in both 720p and 1080i formats, along with HD DVR capability. Access to HD service is $10 a month with any U-verse TV package. -- AT&T Yahoo! Web and Mobile Remote Access to DVR, which allows U-verse TV and Internet customers to schedule recordings from any Web-connected PC or compatible AT&T mobile phone (wireless service charges apply) by using their AT&T Yahoo! account. These features are unique to AT&T among local video providers. -- The ability to record up to four programs at once using a DVR (up to four standard definition programs or one HD and three standard definition programs). This capability is another exclusive feature unmatched in the marketplace. -- Built-in Picture-in-Picture functionality that allows subscribers to channel-surf on any television without leaving the program they''re watching.
"We''ve seen a great response to AT&T U-verse in Cleveland and Akron, and we''re excited for Columbus residents to see what makes U-verse TV cooler than cable," said Steve Mitchell, AT&T vice president and general manager for Ohio. "Now, more consumers have access to a video choice that delivers the content they want -- such as Big Ten Network -- with unmatched features and great value."
Where available, AT&T U-verse TV will offer Columbus customers: -- A compelling variety of TV packages with up to 320 channels to choose from, including digital music, local, movie and sports programming, as well as premium Spanish-language and international packages. Most programming packages include up to three HD-capable receivers - one with a digital video recorder (DVR), which allows customers to pause, rewind, replay and record live TV - at no extra charge. (Customers may add more receivers, up to a total of six, for $5 each a month.) -- More HD programming than the local cable providers. HD technology produces images more than twice as detailed as standard analog TV and offers rich, realistic video and 5.1 channel audio. AT&T U-verse TV offers customers access to a lineup of more than 40 HD channels in most markets, available in both 720p and 1080i formats, along with HD DVR capability. Access to HD service is $10 a month with any U-verse TV package. -- AT&T Yahoo! Web and Mobile Remote Access to DVR, which allows U-verse TV and Internet customers to schedule recordings from any Web-connected PC or compatible AT&T mobile phone (wireless service charges apply) by using their AT&T Yahoo! account. These features are unique to AT&T among local video providers. -- The ability to record up to four programs at once using a DVR (up to four standard definition programs or one HD and three standard definition programs). This capability is another exclusive feature unmatched in the marketplace. -- Built-in Picture-in-Picture functionality that allows subscribers to channel-surf on any television without leaving the program they''re watching.
