Getting Connected: Benefits of Broadband in your Home Tanesha Hixon Office of Technology Partnerships Michigan Department of Information Technology

Getting Connected… It could be the best thing you ever do! Broadband is bringing people just like you: More Convenience to their Everyday Life Valuable Information A Wealth of Entertainment Improved Employment Opportunities Better Educational Tools Numerous Cost Savings Opportunities and so much more……

Why Get Connected? Convenience! Get online and accomplish ordinary tasks in half the time....from the comfort of your home! Online Banking Pay bills online! 24x7 access to your account information Schedule your family’s doctor appointments or package pick ups Order postage stamps, books, movie tickets and apparel Renew your vehicle registration, drivers license, and subscriptions Shop online anytime!

Information, information, and……even more information! Research the symptoms and treatments of common medical conditions Compare the prices of goods and services Check the value and consumer reviews of a vehicle before you purchase it Look up driving directions Find out what resources are available in your community Search for employment

Information, information, and……even more information! Find recipes for any and everything Get the latest on news, weather, and your favorite sports team…in real time! Need to know “how to”?.... Fix a television Play poker Speak Spanish Sew And anything else you want to know…It’s only a click away! Learn online!

Work from home Telecommuting allows for: Reduced to no travel time and costs More and improved work opportunities You can work for a company anywhere from the comfort of your own home! More time with your family A better balance of work and family life Participation in the local community Flexible work hours

Broadband increases education and income levels Broadband permits participation in online degree programs—enrollment in online courses have increased 40 percent since 2005 Individuals with a bachelor’s degree make $23,000 more than high school graduates per year. *A survey conducted of two remote and rural broadband networks in British Columbia, “You Snooze, You Lose: The Economic Impacts of Broadband in the Peace River and South Similkameen Regi A recent survey of remote and rural broadband networks in British Columbia found: 15% of subscribers had higher incomes 39% had lower household expenses

Help your children educate themselves… and do it safely Give your kids access to valuable and important information Allow them to do educational research or get help with their homework They can even entertain themselves with educational games or learn new things, such as, how to speak a foreign language. The internet can also provide your children with information you may not what them to be exposed too…but that an easy fix and the benefits are worth the effort. You can: Use web filtering tools to block inappropriate website and/or content Establish online rules and agreements Place your computer in a area of the home that make it easy to supervise you child online Monitor the time spent online and ask them what they are doing online

Broadband allows you to have fun! Send emails and pictures to your long distance family and friends instantly! Download your favorite videos and music Print photos whenever! Watch the latest movies

Broadband can…… Save you money ! Many companies offer special savings online only: Online Coupons Web rebates A discount on service charges if you pay online There are web sites that offer: Discounted airline and hotel rates Low-priced car rentals

Ready to Get Connected? 1. Determine which broadband option is right for you: DSL – Internet connection requiring a telephone line; allows you to leave your internet connection open and still use the phone line for voice calls Cable – Internet connection that receives access from local cable television line; cable modem required Wireless - Internet connection using radio waves; wireless router required. Allows for mobility. Satellite – Internet connection that uses a satellite dish to provide access; satellite modem required 2. Contact your local broadband providers to get connected

Contacts & Questions MDIT Office of Technology Partnerships George Boersma, Director boersmag@michigan.gov (517) 335-1507 Tanesha Hixon hixont@michigan.gov (517)373-9502