WV Connectivity Initiative

Business Connectivity

What Is Broadband and Why Is It Important?

Simply put, broadband is high-speed Internet connectivity. It gives you exceptionally fast access to the Internet. Your company's computers are constantly connected, so you and your employees can reach customers/suppliers, access information, conduct on-line transactions or transmit data instantly.

This speed and convenience alters the way people use the Internet for work and opens up a host of new possibilities. It dramatically levels the playing field for small and rural businesses, giving them access to a huge range of new services and allowing them to cut costs, improve efficiency and offer a better service to customers.

High-speed Internet connections and web-based technology applications offer businesses new, cost-effective ways to:

Access a host of web-based software applications (accounting, human resources, supply management, customer relationship management, etc.);
Provide for on-line training/learning, Internet webmeetings, greater collaboration and information sharing;
Enable e-Commerce: on-line sales and purchasing; and
Expand marketing reach and sales efforts via digital marketing.

This area of WVConnectivity.net is designed to provide information and resources specifically for businesses. The goal is to showcase how technology applications and strategies can help improve the profitability and competitiveness of West Virginia's business community.

Broadband connectivity and technology use can help the state's businesses to remain competitive. This is particularly true for West Virginia's existing manufacturing and resource-based businesses (timber, minerals, agriculture), as well as the growing services and knowledge-based businesses (computer technology, financial services, health care). Broadband technologies allow manufacturing and resource-based businesses to operate more efficiently, identify lower-cost materials, streamline processes, and communicate more easily with distant headquarter operations. Services and knowledge-based businesses can sell more effectively and are more likely to stay or locate in rural communities if broadband is available.