For those satisfied with their Internet connection, all the talk of broadband access must get frustrating.

Especially when this talk touches on a topic that can make citizens really want to reach out and communicate: How much should the county invest in improving broadband services?

After the board of supervisors meeting held on July 1, when Goochland County’s broadband consultants, CBG Communications, Inc., presented the results of a wide-area broadband network deployment study, The Gazette began receiving calls and emails from citizens who either disagreed with the study or questioned its methodology.

But for those county residents who are not content with slow connection speeds, the lack of high-speed service is, by all indications, an enduring problem.

A new study from the Pew Internet and American Life Project says that 55 percent of American adults now have broadband access at home. Only 10 percent have dial-up access.

The number of people who have broadband access in this country has risen steadily, because the Internet is becoming increasingly integrated into the way Americans communicate.

Not being able to efficiently access the Internet can be a real disadvantage, as CBG’s Executive Vice President Thomas Robinson pointed out, for students and workers who can’t get online once they leave school or the office. 

According to a statement by Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin J. Martin, “Broadband technology is a key driver of economic growth. The ability to share increasing amounts of information, at greater and greater speeds, increases productivity, facilitates interstate commerce, and helps drive information.”

It seems that at the very least, the opportunity to purchase broadband access should be universally available.

However, cost remains an issue.

The study, which was published on July 2, suggests that some dial-up users are willing to sacrifice speed for a lower fee.

These findings are consistent with the CBG survey, which found that those using dial-up connections tend to be dissatisfied with their current method of accessing the Internet, although they are satisfied with the cost of service.

And the reverse is the case with those residents using broadband, who are satisfied with their speed of Internet access but are concerned with its cost, said Robinson.

But, if the county pursues methods of improving access, about 58 percent of respondents would sign up,  according to the CBG survery results.

The issue of county-facilitated broadband access clearly isn’t going to be resolved right away.

But now that CBG has presented its survey, and has outlined three potential strategies to achieve universal broadband access in Goochland, does the county really need to keep talking about whether it should facilitate expanded Internet access?

Universal broadband access is as crucial to economic productivity in 2008 as universal electricity was in the 1930s.

At this point, the discussion shouldn’t be if Goochland County should invest in expanded broadband access. Instead, the conversation should shift to how, and when, the county can ensure that all of its citizens will share equal access to information.