Md. jurisdictions seek funds to expand broadband Internet access - washingtonpost.com

Montgomery, Prince George's and Howard counties and eight other Maryland jurisdictions are seeking $100 million in federal stimulus funds to expand their broadband Internet capabilities, an effort aimed at boosting productivity at local businesses and improving the emergency network for public safety agencies.

The 11 jurisdictions are seeking funds primarily to give schools, libraries and government agencies greater access to online videos, teleconferencing and downloads through speedier high-capacity connections. The money also would be used to build dedicated phone and data lines for public safety use during a disaster, an attempt to avert the communications problems experienced in New York and Washington during the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001...