Build Broadband

BUILD BROADBAND
[SOURCE: Seattle Times, AUTHOR: Editorial staff]
[Commentary] The Internet is an important conduit to commerce and innovation, a medium that has wildly exciting communication potential. Yet, the United States' paltry broadband network lags behind most of the industrialized world. Our weak Internet infrastructure not only puts the nation at a competitive economic disadvantage, it threatens democracy. Japan and South Korea have cheaper Internet service that is many times faster than that in the U.S. To get an idea of how far behind Japan we are, think of our network as a Soviet-era grocery store and Japan's as Whole Foods. At least a dozen countries have zipped by America because of smart government regulations that encouraged the build-out of networks and promoted competition. It is time Congress and the Federal Communications Commission did the same.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/editorialsopinion/2003885128_broded16.html