Need For Speed

I thought this report on the FCC’s failure to promote the spread of broadband Internet access in the U.S. illustrates the current Administration’s lack of vision in terms of domestic policy. According to the report, the U.S. ranks 16th worldwide in the number of broadband subscribers per 100 inhabitants. It also points out that the FCC can exaggerate the number of broadband connections by defining “broadband” as anything 200kbps or faster. That’s barely four times faster than a dial-up connection. But yet many telephone companies are able to sell DSL connections at this speed and convince people that they’re buying “broadband” service. Meanwhile, the French can buy 15 Mps service for $38 a month. I’m paying almost $50 for a 4 Mbps connection.
We badly need a national broadband policy. But instead what we get are state laws banning municipal wifi networks and FCC rulings that weaken consumer choice. Yes, we’re a big country with lots of rural areas. But we don’t seem to have a problem giving everyone access to a bazillion TV channels. If Joe Sixpack in Nowhere, Kansas can get seven HBO channels, why the hell can’t he get a decent Internet connection?