Don’t rush into tech spending

In theory, the state’s broadband initiative, championed by the Abercrombie administration, outlines goals that have wide appeal, that of "providing affordable, ultra high-speed Internet access for all of Hawaii’s citizens," according to one description on the Web.

The route to take from here to there, however, is uncertain. One current strategy, to redirect some cable TV fees toward providing public school students with laptops, or any kind of "portable computer devices," is ill conceived.

Advocates of this strategy argue that bringing Hawaii up to speed in the digital realm will mean increasing the number of high-speed Net users. Broadband, which can be understood as the Internet’s fast lanes, is a network linked by high-capacity lines that allow rapid data exchanges. It allows the downloading of large files — images, video, PowerPoint presentations and such — that many people now expect.

Increasing the "adoption" of broadband is part of ramping up Hawaii’s Internet networks overall, according to this thinking. Federal stimulus funds have been invested to connect all public schools to this fast network. Now House Bill 2874 seeks to create the Broadband Special Fund for continuing this transformation by underwriting the purchase of student laptops, among other expenditures.

There are several problems:

» It has not been established that issuing laptops to students is the best investment possible for limited funds. The first priority should be improving the Internet connections, to start with.

» The sustainability of this venture is doubtful, given the high cost of loss and upkeep for laptops that are issued. Any hardware allowances should be used first to provide equipment for on-campus use.

» There are many other demands on this money. Donn Yabusaki, cable TV administrator for the state Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, said in written testimony that the fees cover not only public access TV but broadband upgrades and services for the state Department of Education, the University of Hawaii and the Department of Transportation. The cap could compromise the state’s ability to tap federal funds for broadband and telecommunications projects, Yabusaki said.

» Further, the fee revenue being tapped for this is meant for public-access television. At the recent public hearing, the broadcasters themselves — nonprofits and other small-budget groups — vigorously protested potential cuts to their own program. To quote the old expression, the whole idea has the aura of "robbing Peter to pay Paul."

The broadband fund itself might be a good idea, if the right financing mechanism could be found for it. Enhanced Internet connectivity would be an asset to the schools, but the state’s education authorities should decide themselves what kind of technology would best further education goals and draw up a plan for financing it.

Diminishing the community benefits of technology in one area to boost it in another lacks common sense.