Comprehensive Internet Studies Issued in Maryland, Maine

Two recent studies on Internet usage in Maryland and Maine offer detailed maps of broadband infrastructure. The studies offer some insights on how businesses and, in the case of Maryland, private citizens are accessing the Internet. Specific findings are not presented below; however, each of the studies are available in their entirety via the links that follow the respective summaries.



eReadiness Maryland

 The first-ever, comprehensive statewide study on Internet usage, access and infrastructure among Maryland's businesses and households became available April 18. eReadiness Maryland: Assessing our Digital Opportunities includes the survey results of 1,422 households and 1,126 businesses, real-time dial-up connection speeds from 24 locations and previously unavailable maps of fiber infrastructure, DSL service and cable modems.



The study provides statistical indicators for both businesses and households. Analysis on Internet connectivity and a national comparison is emphasized for the former. For households, eReadiness Maryland relates computer use to families' income and educational attainment levels. The regional variation of computer and Internet usage in Maryland is given for both businesses and households.



To fund eReadiness Maryland, TEDCO contributed $100,000 and leveraged $100,000 from the U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration, $110,000 from industry sponsors and $45,000 from the State of Maryland. Another $50,000 reportedly will be provided to commission an in-depth study on the need for high-speed bandwidth in Western Maryland. For this project, TEDCO has committed $25,000 and has obtained a matching grant of $25,000 from the Appalachian Regional Commission.



eReadiness Maryland is a two-phase study designed by the Technology Policy Group of the Ohio Supercomputer Center and managed by the Maryland Technology Development Corp. With Phase I of the study completed, Phase II will be a series of regional briefings to review the findings and discuss policy recommendations. The complete text of eReadiness Maryland is available at: http://www.marylandtedco.org/home.html

E-commerce Among Maine Businesses

The new report on integration of Internet technologies in Maine businesses, E-commerce Among Maine Businesses: Keeping up or falling behind?, recently was released by Market Decisions of South Portland, Maine. The report shows 2001 data based on The Maine Development Foundation's annual Maine Business Survey.



Several indicators used by E-commerce Among Maine Businesses entail Internet connectedness among Maine businesses, including the number of companies having a connection, how they are connected (i.e. cable, dial-up, DSL, ISDN, T1 or wireless means) and their use of the Internet. More than 90 percent of the state's companies with at least 50 employees have a website, the report observes.



Additional indicators show the number of Maine businesses using other technologies, such as e-mail, fax, video conferencing and 800 numbers, and the report details the frequency of companies having to provide basic education to entry-level employees for computer skills, math, reading and writing.



Separate data from a D&B Small Business survey is included for comparison. E-commerce Among Maine Businesses is available at: http://www.marketdecisions.com/index2.htm