1 Gbps-enabled communities have higher GDP, says FTTH Council study

Communities that have a service provider that offers a 1 Gbps fiber-based broadband service have per capita GDP that's 1.1 percent higher than other communities that have either little or no gigabit services present, says the Fiber to the Home (FTTH) Council Americas, citing a new study.

The study, which was conducted by financial and strategy firm Analysis Group, examined 55 communities in nine states, finding a positive impact on economic activity in the 14 communities where gigabit services are widely available.

However, the 41 communities in the study that did not have gigabit broadband service available "likely experienced forgone GDP in 2012 of as much as $3.3 billion."

"The study results suggest that gigabit broadband communities exhibit a per capita GDP approximately 1.1 percent higher than the similar communities with little to no availability of gigabit services," said FTTH Council President Heather B. Gold in a release. "In dollar terms, this suggests that the 14 gigabit broadband communities studied enjoyed approximately $1.4 billion in additional GDP when gigabit broadband became widely available."

For more:
- see the release

Related articles:
Telcos see 20% operational savings with all-fiber networks, says FTTH Council
Smaller telcos lead FTTH charge with 9M U.S. homes connected
Bell Aliant Q4 revenues decline to $696 million as IPTV, Internet gains offset legacy losses
Verizon FiOS lifts wireline consumer revenues to $14 billion in 2012