US Broadband Starts To Speed Ahead

[Commentary] US mobile data usage is expected to increase by 4,000% in the next four years. US broadband connection speed, however, is ranked a mere 18th in the world. These numbers, combined with already strained network capacity, paint a bleak picture of America's "Information Superhighway" as a traffic-jammed dirt road.

While there are several factors that contribute to the nation's disappointing position in broadband access, a closer look at the issues presents a real opportunity for the US to restore its rightful place as the world's leader in technology and innovation. Expanding wireless broadband to every part of the U.S. will have a more far-reaching and profound impact on all Americans. Increasing the capabilities and availability of mobile broadband will eliminate bandwidth bottlenecks and open up new worlds for those whose only disadvantage is location. Mobile broadband will enable someone with limited access to higher education to remotely pursue a Master's degree, and patients to receive remote diagnoses from their doctors.

Just as important--and especially so during these challenging economic times--mobile broadband will empower individuals, businesses and entrepreneurs to be creative, innovative and competitive. A vibrant new class of entrepreneurs is already emerging that is building new devices and developing applications to run on them; expanding mobile broadband network access will open the door to even more industry participation.

[Sanjiv Ahuja is chairman and chief executive officer of LightSquared]