A high 84% of rural Franklin addresses are connected to the Internet as well as around 80% of town addresses. But more rural dwellers are wanting a high speed service (69%) compared to townies (around 56%). These are some of the key results coming out of the Franklin Rural Broadband Demand Survey commissioned by the Enterprise Franklin Development Trust.

Why was this study important? At the end of this month, the Government will receive Expressions of Interest from suppliers of fibre optic broadband cable as a part of the Rural Broadband Initiative (see 'RBI and what it means for you'). Unless those suppliers have some demand stats on which to build a solid business justification for investing in new broadband capacity, they may not choose to express their interest in government funding. And rural Franklin would be much the poorer as a consequence.

Overseas studies have shown that high speed rural broadband is the critical element that promotes and sustains economic, environmental and social opportunities for rural communities. From increasing business productivity, through improving academic achievements, healthcare outcomes and social interactions, the availability of high speed broadband makes a real difference. Conversely, if high speed broadband was not available, our local communities will find it more difficult to live and work in the 21^st century.

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