Excerpted from an article by Matthew D. Bennett, Public Policy Director, Alliance for Public Technology (Letter No. 8, February 5, 2004)

The following piece discusses ways in which broadband technology can and will bring more advanced services into the home. Below, we have excerpted their discussion to focus on the areas of telemedicine, public safety, emergencies, and seniors. Many experts predict broadband applications will make useful and even life-saving services available to all areas of the country -- many of which were, in the past, only available in urban centers such as New York and other big cities. The upshot is that many senior citizens nationwide, thanks to broadband, will now be able to do more at home, and feel safer at home, for many productive years.