The New York Times reports that Internet access in the United States has been the focus of multiple studies over the last year as more and more think tanks try to diagnose and solve our Internet problem. Funny enough, most would agree that the U.S. is behind. The problem is that many don’t feel that we’re so behind that improving Internet access and speeds needs to be a priority moving forward.
While ISPs and other cable providers will tell you that current speeds are good enough, the Obama administration says that “fast, affordable and reliable broadband service” is needed to “create jobs and grow wages at home.” Unfortunately, the administration and ISPs continue to classify “broadband” as anything above 10 Mbps – speeds which are easily and affordably achieved in most metro areas.
So, what’s the big deal if we’re already hitting the target of what the government considers broadband speeds? It’s all a matter of competition really. Future jobs are moving to the Web and a fast, reliable Internet connection will be the difference between a company scoring a lucrative contract or losing out to another firm. The economy is increasingly going global and faster Internet speeds in Eastern Europe and Asia will ensure that they stay one step ahead of the American companies that either don’t have access to or can’t afford enterprise Internet connections.