US broadband is not falling behind

[Commentary] Those worried the USA is falling behind the world in broadband speed and adoption can pick another subject to fret about. America is doing fine — and would do even better if government would stop trying to micromanage the digital economy.

The idea that European and Asian countries are lapping America in the race for broadband speed and penetration is a fallacy created with statistics comparing "persons" instead of "households." Once you make that correction, the USA is firmly planted among the top of industrialized nations. The digital economy — one of the only vibrant economic sectors left — doesn't need more government "investment" or regulation. It needs only for government to butt out and let the market work the magic that continues to bring us the marvels of the modern age.

[Lakely is the co-director of the Center on the Digital Economy at The Heartland Institute, a free-market think tank based in Chicago.]