CMA Takes Lead in Introduction of High-Speed Internet Technology
SACRAMENTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 27, 1998--California Manufacturers Association (CMA) President Jack M. Stewart joined Pacific Bell representatives in San Ramon today to announce that PacBell will make available Digital Subscriber Lines (DSL) -- a form of high-speed Internet service -- to at least five million customers by the end of this summer.
The 1,000-member CMA has been a catalyst for increased negotiations and dialogue among public and private stakeholders toward improving Internet speed.
This announcement marks a commitment to offer all California consumers high-speed access to the Internet, making possible speedy transfer of documents, photos, videos, images and other electronic data previously prohibited by current analog telephone transmission lines.
''Pacific Bell's commitment to DSL technology will help create jobs and improve the quality of life here in California,'' said CMA President Jack Stewart at the press conference. ''DSL will enable new and innovative Internet applications and industries to emerge.''
''In fact,'' added Stewart, ''a recent study by AUS Consultants, entitled, 'Implications of Increased Telecommunications Bandwidth for a California Economy,' found that increased bandwidth, such as DSL, will add $204 billion to California's Gross State Output and will create more than 640,000 new jobs over the next four years. Simply put, DSL technology will help keep California's economy on the cutting edge of global technology and innovation -- right where we belong.''
This year, the California Manufacturers Association sponsored legislation authored by Senator Steve Peace (D-El Cajon) to investigate avenues to pursue faster Internet access (aka: wider bandwidth). Following a legislative hearing convened by Senator Peace in February, Pacific Bell, CMA and other stakeholders agreed upon a DSL rollout that will eventually be made available to all Pacific Bell customers.
''Today marks the beginning of the end of the 'World Wide Wait' as it has been dubbed,'' boasted Stewart.
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