The 'Telecom Cartels'

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[Commentary] Are other countries far ahead of the United States when it comes to broadband? There are two ways to answer that question. Despite what you might read, the objective answer for the nation as a whole is “no.” But there is another answer. It comes from science-fiction author William Gibson. He famously told an interviewer, in response to a question, “the future is here -- it’s just not evenly distributed.”

The same is certainly true for our broadband future. The U.S. tolerates a much higher level of inequality in broadband distribution -- as it does in most social matters -- than most industrialized nations. Market forces rule, and markets where providers can make lots of money win out over thinly populated regions that cost too much per user. Most other industrialized nations try to make up the difference with public spending, but that still runs against the grain in America.

[Bell is co-founder of the Intelligent Community Forum]


The 'Telecom Cartels'