In order to get broadband high-speed internet technology infrastructure to rural communities in the Berkshire Mountains, the Broadband for the Berkshires/Southern Berkshire Technology Committee has been formed. The belief of this committee is that without access to high-speed internet technology it is impossible in today’s day and age for a community to develop economically. Not only is the economic base of a community at risk without fast internet, but other essential elements of life need the internet just to keep up. Areas like education, communications, health, safety and the general quality of life are dependent to a large extent on the accessibility the citizens of the community have to the internet.
The initiative for rural communities to get on-line stems from the same forces that propelled these communities to seek out access to electricity and to telephone services in bygone times. The issue of the day is fast internet access, and Broadband for the Berkshires is working on getting the rural communities of the Berkshires on line.