Cedar Key, as a partner in the North Florida Broadband Authority, will benefit from U.S. Department of Commerce funding of high speed internet connections. A thirty million dollar grant came through fifteen counties and eight towns joining to form the communications authority which is designed to stimulate business and improve communications between institutions such as schools and public safety agencies. Commissioner Pat O`Neal represents Cedar Key on the Board of Directors of the broadband authority. Commissioner O`Neal told Cedar Key News that the system will be established over a three year period, with hospitals, schools and police departments being connected in 60 to 90 days. Individuals, in as many as 154,000 households, will eventually be able to use the system. He expects the speed of communication will be two or three times faster than current DSL hook ups, and at a lower cost. Technically, the system is wireless internet. How this development will affect plans to install a cell phone communications tower in Cedar Key remains to be seen.
Correction: Work to connect priority users will begin in 60 to 90 days. | 
