Broadband, telecommuting seen as economic boons

Computerworld - WASHINGTON -- In an effort to improve sluggish broadband adoption nationally, high-tech firms want companies to let employees telework or telecommute as a way to improve productivity, reduce costs and encourage baby boomer employees nearing retirement to remain in the workforce.
The initiative also has the backing of the U.S. Department of Commerce, which views broadband usage as an integral part of U.S. economic development.
"Broadband deployment and usage will define the global winners and losers in the 21st century," said Bruce Mehlman, an assistant secretary at the Commerce Department. And telecommuting "is really the killer app right now that's out there for home broadband use."
Although broadband reaches some 90% of the U.S. population, only about 12% of the households utilize it. Encouraging telework could help other industries delivering broadband services, such as on-the-job videoconferencing as well as leisure-time content, say advocates.
Harris Miller, president of the Information Technology Association of America (ITAA) in Arlington, Va., said telework "will cause a major bump" in the number of people signing up for broadband. "E-work is widely seen to have it all: career, life and family," he said.
Mehlman appeared at news conference today to discuss the benefits of telework with officials from the ITAA and several leading high-tech firms, including AT&T Corp., Corning Inc., Siemens Information and Communications Networks Inc. and American Management Systems Inc.
Each had stories to tell.
Braden Allenby, an AT&T vice president, said that companywide, telecommuting policies have saved his company $25 million in real estate costs. "We just sold our corporate headquarters -- we don't need it anymore," he said.
AT&T also estimates workforce productivity gains of about $65 million, primarily the result of time saved by not having to drive to work. A survey of AT&T workers in the Washington area found that about 800, or 60%, of the company's 1,400 managers, work from home at least occasionally. The company found that employees typically split the extra time they gained by not having to drive into work for work and personal activities, said Allenby.
"Teleworkers are very enthusiastic about teleworking, and so are their families," said Allenby, adding that 82% said telecommuting gives them a better balance of work and family life.
Retention is also critical, said Allenby, especially as baby boomers begin retiring. Telecommuting that lets older employees work on their terms and times may help retain them, he said.
John Jay, broadband market development manager at Corning, N.Y.-based Corning, said the better quality-of-life "enhances our recruiting position" in the search for high-techjob candidates.
A national survey also released today of 1,000 registered voters found that 20% spent 30 to 60 minutes commuting, 7% from 60 to 90 minutes, and 10% more than 90 minutes.
Fifty-four percent of those responding said telecommuting would improve their quality of life, while 42% said it was "not likely" to.
However, when asked if telecommuting "would make you a better partner or spouse," 43% said yes, but 46% said no. David Winston, who heads the market research group in Alexandria, Va., that conducted the survey, said the 43% percent who said yes indicates that there is "huge" number of people who see value in it.

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