Posted: 24th Jun, 2003 By: MarkJ
The latest research from the 'Centre for Reform' has suggested that public sector workers, such as doctors and nurses, be given cut-price (subsidised) home broadband Internet access:
The report, called Broadening Horizons: Why broadband matters claims that significant efficiency savings would be achieved by making it cheaper for teachers, doctors and other key workers to sign up for their own broadband connection, meaning the scheme would pay for itself within a few years. It would also boost broadband take-up.
"If we think that a schoolteacher needs broadband in their class or a GP needs it in their surgery, why wouldn't they need it at home?" asked David Stephenson, author of the report. "Why not try and make home working, an essential part of the public professionals' workload, more efficient? Why not deepen those broadband networks into teachers' and doctors' homes, with other professionals coming online as the project develops," Stephenson added.
Under Stephenson's proposal the government would provide a £15 voucher, to be spent on a home broadband connection, every month to any teacher, doctor or higher-education worker. This would cut the amount they would pay to less than £15 per month for a 512Kbps connection, making it cheaper than narrowband.We're suddenly feeling like a change of profession =). More @
ZDNet.