REPORT TITLE:
High Speed Connectivity


DESCRIPTION:
Creates incentives for internet service providers and
telecommunications companies to extend high speed connectivity
throughout the State.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                        3156
THE SENATE                              S.B. NO.           
TWENTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2000                                
STATE OF HAWAII                                            
                                                             
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________


                   A  BILL  FOR  AN  ACT

RELATING TO HIGH SPEED CONNECTIVITY.



BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 1      SECTION 1.  The purpose of this Act is to create incentives
 
 2 for internet access providers and telecommunications companies to
 
 3 extend high speed internet connectivity throughout the State.
 
 4 With the rise in the number of jobs within the computer industry
 
 5 that can be accomplished from anywhere with internet access and
 
 6 the growing popularity of telecommuting, it is possible for a
 
 7 worker employed by a mainland or foreign based company to
 
 8 relocate to Hawaii and work from their home.  Similarly, the
 
 9 growing number of software professionals who work independently,
 
10 transmitting their work product over the internet to the client,
 
11 could easily choose Hawaii as a place of residence.  Attracting
 
12 these information technology workers would help diversify the
 
13 State's economy and expand the tax base.
 
14      However, to communicate effectively and efficiently, these
 
15 professionals need high speed internet access so that large files
 
16 and programs can be quickly and easily sent and retrieved from
 
17 their home office.  High speed internet access can be provided by
 
18 digital subscriber lines on existing telephone lines and by cable
 
19 modems on existing cable television lines.  However, the cost of
 

 
Page 2                                                     3156
                                     S.B. NO.           
                                                        
                                                        

 
 1 the equipment necessary to use the existing lines for high speed
 
 2 internet access combined with uncertainty regarding market demand
 
 3 for high speed internet access has resulted in this service not
 
 4 being generally available.
 
 5      SECTION 2.  The purpose of this Act is to effectuate the
 
 6 policies set forth in section 1.
 
 7      SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2000.
 
 8 
 
 9                           INTRODUCED BY:  _______________________