Florida’s Future Depends On Connectivity By Jessica Fernandez , Crown Castle, Senior Manager, External Affairs, Florida and Puerto Rico
F lorida is growing exponentially. So is our demand for connectivity. At Crown Castle, one of the nation's largest providers of shared communications infrastructure, we are doing our part to collaborate with government partners, innovate, and invest in Florida. Florida is now home to four of the top five fastest growing metro areas in America. Unlike the traditional retiree pipeline growth, the latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows a major portion of Florida’s new residents are 20 to 49 years old. The reasons for this younger mass migration are many: no state income tax, warm winters, a business-friendly environment, and the dramatic expansion of remote work opportunities that has allowed many Americans to move to more affordable cities without having to change jobs. While we certainly welcome our new neighbors, it’s important to recognize that more people in Florida means more resources are needed to support our increasing population. This includes housing, schools, roads, and services such as solid waste and police and fire protection. One critical resource that’s often overlooked is connectivity : Connectivity is central to our safety: In many areas, more than 80 percent of 911 calls come from
wireless devices, and emergency operators rely on location information from phones to help precisely locate callers in an emergency. Connectivity is central to our economic vitality: Connectivity is the backbone of our emerging 21st century economy that allows entrepreneurs to start and grow small businesses, expands our state’s ability to attract new companies and quality careers, and provides opportunities for digital labor, jobs in the gig economy and remote work. Connectivity is central to enhancing our quality of life: Wireless connection is vital to closing the “digital divide” that often limits underserved residents from accessing all manner of
opportunities and expanding technologies that have the potential to make our lives easier such as autonomous vehicles, smart homes, and “internet of things” type devices. But, the connectivity we all desire and depend on will not happen without the installation of new communications infrastructure, especially next generation wireless infrastructure and “small cells.” While traditional cell towers provide broad wireless coverage, small wireless facilities, or “small cells,” enhance connectivity by increasing capacity of the wireless network through low-powered facilities in locations closer to consumers and their devices. Small cells bring about more reliable cell phone coverage, faster downloads and better connectivity for residents
24 – Florida Technology Magazine – 2024 Fall Edition
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