Here in Wisconsin, businesses and consumers alike are turning to innovative mobile technologies to expand accessibility and connectivity. Consumers are benefiting from services powered by wireless applications including real-time traffic updates and mobile health monitoring systems.
Entrepreneurs in rural communities are increasingly relying on mobile technology as a gateway for businesses to reach their urban counterparts and manage operations.
And, as we navigate this increasingly ambiguous economy, the wireless space is offering unprecedented opportunity for job creation and investment.
I know firsthand the impact mobile technology can have on entrepreneurial opportunities set in rural America. I moved from a large city to rural Montana where I co-founded a technology business that now employs over 50 people and has significant funding from top tier venture capital firms.
Quite frankly, we could not have done it without great talent, great determination, and a great communications infrastructure.
We can all agree that sound entrepreneurship contributes to the well being and overall economic health of this country. Today, wireless communications allows us to grow and run businesses in urban, suburban, even rural America.
The fact is, mobile technology has democratized opportunities across the nation. An environment that spurs investment and innovation in wireless services and technologies will be fundamental to building a 21st century infrastructure that promotes job creation and economic recovery – in all the corners of our country.
The potential for wireless innovations is limitless. But in order for us to expand on this potential, we need to encourage investment in the wireless space. Forward-looking policymakers, like those in Wisconsin, understand that an environment that encourages investment in wireless is necessary for the mobile sector to flourish and grow.
To echo President Barack Obama, a fellow technophile, "Yes We Can." We can create jobs and rebuild our economy. And wireless can be a catalyst to bring 21st century solutions to 21st century issues.
Diane Smith, who spoke recently in Wisconsin about bringing wireless capabilities to rural regions of the state, serves on the board of Mobile Future (mobilefuture.org) and was co-founder and chief executive officer of Auroras Entertainment, an IPTV and advanced media services company in Kalispell, Mont.
