Why Convene a Broadband Summit?

We are at a critical juncture in telecommunications history similar to the advent of the telephone, radio, or television. Computers and other digital technologies have enabled an entirely new 21st Century communications medium – diverse and portable networks that are capable of interconnectivity. Within these networks, end-user devices are adapting to changing environments and maximizing efficient use of available spectrum to deliver mobile, affordable broadband connectivity.

New Jersey is home to many of the world’s technology giants, and exceptional broadband networks already exist in the state, including NJEdge, AccessNJ, and Garden State Network. Several technology-driven, economic development initiatives are underway, such as Innovation Alliance, Innovation Partnership Institutes, and Smart Growth Development Strategies.

Efforts Leading up to the Broadband Summit

With leadership from Governor Jon S. Corzine, Honorary Chair and Secretary of State Nina Mitchell Wells, NJN has convened New Jersey leaders from all public and private sectors to consider how we might maximize the benefits of the state’s extensive broadband assets for its residents, businesses and government. Over the past six months, key state stakeholders representing five areas - - economic growth, education, health care, emergency communications, and arts, cultural heritage and tourism - - have met to explore how we can harness new technologies to:

• Drive economic growth
• Improve patient healthcare
• Invigorate learning and teaching in the classroom
• Increase access to the arts and promote cultural and heritage tourism
• Foster public safety and emergency preparedness and response

New Jersey Connected Broadband Summit

The day-long Summit will feature:

• Keynote Speaker: Carlos Dominguez, Senior Vice President, Worldwide Service Provider Operations, Cisco Systems, Inc.
• Plenary Speakers (to date):
• Larry Irving, Co-Chair of the Internet Alliance and Former Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Telecommunications and Information, who develops policy affecting cable and satellite television, high definition TV, the Internet, broadband and wireless technologies
• John B. Horrigan, Associate Director at Pew Internet & American Life Project, who leads Pew’s research on the internet's impact on social networks and news gathering habits of online behavior of broadband internet users
• Break-out sessions on economic growth; education; health; emergency communications; and arts, cultural heritage and tourism
• Demonstrations

Sponsors:
Corporation for Public Broadcasting, Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, AT&T, J.C. Kellogg Foundation (on behalf of Bloomfield College), PricewaterhouseCoopers, Verizon, New Jersey Education Association, The Edward W. and Stella C. Van Houten Memorial Fund, Intel, and Camares Communication, Inc.

Partners:
Governor’s Office of Economic Growth, New Jersey Department of State, Bloomfield College, Center for Innovative Education at Kean University, Citizen Corps, Council of New Jersey Grantmakers, HealthCare Institute of New Jersey, The Levine Group, Medical Missions, Montclair State University, New Jersey Business Force, New Jersey Cable Telecommunications Association, New Jersey Chamber of Commerce, New Jersey Commission on Science and Technology, New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, New Jersey Economic Development Authority, New Jersey Hospital Association, New Jersey Institute of Technology, New Jersey Office of Information Technology, New Jersey State Council on the Arts, New Jersey State League of Municipalities, New Jersey Technology Council, Newark Alliance, Rothman Institute of Entrepreneurial Studies/Fairleigh Dickinson University, Triveni Digital.