How US Internet service might get better -- and worse -- in 2014

2013, like just about every year before it, was the year nearly all of us complained about our Internet service. "It's too slow!" we said. "Too expensive!" And we were generally right, as a study by the New America Foundation's Open Technology Institute found that US consumers pay more for slower service than counterparts in other countries. But 2013 wasn't just more of the same -- there were big developments that make 2014 worth watching, for good and bad reasons.

Inspired by Google Fiber, cities are increasingly looking for ways to get their own fiber networks and give the US broadband market much-needed competition. On the potentially bad side of the equation, a legal challenge to network neutrality laws by Verizon could further degrade competition, particularly in streaming video. As we look back at 2013 and ahead to next year, let's start with the good news. Google Fiber came to Kansas City in late 2012 and is headed to Provo, Utah, and Austin, Texas, in 2014. In 2014, we'll find out just how the plans of Los Angeles, Louisville, Bryan/College Station, Leverett, Ellensburg, and other cities pan out. Although competition is still distressingly absent in much of America, one thing that's clear is numerous cities are no longer content to simply accept what few options ISPs give them.

[Dec 26]