S.C. leads nation in access to high speed internet

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - A new report says about 94 percent of South Carolina households have access to highspeed Internet services.

Washington-based Connected Nation says that is better than much of the rest of the nation that has about 80 percent access.

Senator Luke Rankin said about 40 percent of those households in South Carolina actually have cable, DSL or wireless services.

Connected Nation's report came out as Rankin's Senate panel approved a bill that puts together a study committee to decide how to use South Carolina ETV radio frequency it no longer needs to carry educational programming.

ETV wants to lease it to a private company to expand broadband access through wireless technologies.

Rankin said there are no plans to expand broadband access by offering free wireless service.