By SCBIZ Daily Staff

COLUMBIA — South Carolina is a step closer to becoming the first state in the nation to create a statewide wireless broadband network.

The House Tuesday approved bill H. 3569 that would create the Wireless Technology and Communications Commission that will evaluate the economic, financial and technology issues surrounding the feasibility of creating a statewide network and takes the steps necessary to create such a network.

The commission will also evaluate how to best foster a private/public partnership in its implementation and operation of the network. 

“The potential for this kind of technology is limitless,” House Speaker Bobby Harrell said.  “Technology moves fast, and changes even faster. We need to move quickly to implement this and put our state on the cutting edge of Internet use. The Internet has revolutionized the world, and now South Carolina is moving to revolutionize the way we access the Internet.”

The bill is coupled with the virtual school legislation currently in conference committee.

The goal is to provide rural areas with access to broadband Internet. Schools, homes, public safety workers, municipalities, hospitals and businesses across the state could be connected to the Internet as well.

Supporters of the bill believe it could have huge economic development potential for the state by attracting new businesses and becoming a testing ground for emerging wireless technologies. In addition to aiding large businesses, a wireless cloud will also empower small businesses and entrepreneurs, especially in rural areas.