This is part one of a series of articles following the progress of Go Gig and the progression of high-speed internet services to southwestern Wisconsin.

“The Internet is going to be around for a while. It’s time to start planning for that reality.” That quote can be found on the Go Gig website’s frequently asked questions page. The current reality is that there are still many people, especially in rural southwest Wisconsin, that do not have access to a “fast” – some would say “acceptable” – internet connection.

Go Gig represents a statewide vision that hopes to expand broadband (high speed) internet availability in Wisconsin with the help of federal stimulus dollars and regional support within the state.

“It’s like a 38-lane highway,” says Tom Martin, “[it has] an incredible capacity that can be shared locally.” Such a line could find it’s way through our region, allowing local counties and private companies to further develop the infrastructure and extending access to very rural areas.

“It’s putting pressure, then, on your local provider,” says Martin, “This will be the same kind of battle our grandparents and great-grandparents had in the early-1900’s with rural electrification.”

“There’s a gap in accessibility,” says Laura Brown, Crawford County Community Development Educator. The assumption is that private companies are not making these lines accessible to rural communities. The efforts of Go Gig would help pave the way for broadband access in these rural areas. Brown says,”The private sector would then have some motivation to bring the lines out to areas not on the main fiber-optic line.”

The benefits of broadband internet are tremendous. Not only is there an unprecedented access to information, but it also provides great opportunities for economic development. “Our [local] economy depends on small entrepreneurs,” says Brown, “and, they are using the internet more and more for [purchasing supplies and] marketing.” Brown says that broadband access would also greatly benefit health care and education sectors.

Both Brown and Martin say that public input is essential in this process.

PdCToday.com will continue to follow the progress of Go Gig in future articles. Next, we plan on taking a closer look at the time line this project may follow.

Link: WiscNet Wire – Go Gig

Comment Below: Participate in the discussion below. Do you have high-speed internet?  Still using dial-up? What are some of the frustrations you’ve experienced with your current or past internet connections?