[A great example how broadband provided by FTTH allows new business models to evolve. From a pointer on Gordon Cook's list-BSA]
http://www.app-rising.com/gdblog/2008/05/broadband_enables_wyoming_to_t.html
Broadband Enables Wyoming To Teach English to South Korea
I read a tremendous article found in Jim Baller's [http://www.casperstartribune.com/articles/2008/05/09/news/breaking/doc4824787da7b01237580282.txt] regular email newsletter earlier this week that highlights a number of interesting and important points.
It details an initiative where 150 teachers are going to be finding employment in Wyoming teaching South Koreans how to speak English.
Firstly, it's a tremendous example of the use of broadband as the teaching is conducted via videoconferencing.
Secondly, they specifically mention that what makes this possible is the fact that Powell, Wyoming, where the teachers will be located, is deploying a full fiber network with the capacity to enable high quality videoconferencing.
Thirdly, it's another example of how broadband enables the creation of new jobs that allow people to work from home.
Fourthly, it shows how there are businesses to be made catering to educational pursuits and not just entertainment related endeavors.
Fifthly, it shows how far ahead South Korea is in their use of broadband to enable better education.
Lastly, and unfortunately not necessarily a positive, it highlights the fact that South Koreans are aggressively pursuing applications that can not only be a good business but also benefit society as the money behind this comes not from the US but a South Korean venture capitalist.
Whew, that's a lot of points hit in an article that's not much longer than this post, but there's simply no denying how many relevant points it touches upon.
But what I think I like about it most is that even though it's being funded and driven by South Koreans, it's still creating new jobs here in the US. It's jobs like these that will help us reverse the trend of outsourcing so that other countries can come to rely on the expertise, know how, and hard work of the American people.
And it's important to never forget that this is all possible only through the power of broadband.