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US Lags World In Broadband Access

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the get-cracking-tube-layers dept.

An anonymous reader writes "When It Comes To Broadband, U.S. Plays Follow The Leader says a story in IWeek. Their thesis is that, while broadband access in the United States rose from 60 million users in March 2005 to 84 million in March 2006, the US is well behind countries like England and China. Indeed, what you may not realize is that the U.S. ranks a surprisingly poor 12th in worldwide broadband access, a situation which could threaten its ability to maintain its technological lead. The federal government is no help: the FCC has almost no data on the rate of hi-speed adoption, or of what the speed and quality of those services are. Broadband is more expensive here than in other nations, as well, almost 10 times as expensive by some estimates. The cost and poor quality of service aren't from population density, aren't from lack of interest, and are not from lack of technical know-how. So, what is holding us back?

4 of 608 comments (clear)

  1. Do all AMericans need internet? by Sargeant+Slaughter · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    Farming states are full of people that have no idea what they could use it for and don't think they need it. If people aren't willing to pay for it, and don't need it, why should the government be dumping billions into it? I bet California ranks pretty well up against England and China, but a state like Kansas would lag far behind...

    --
    I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand. -Confucius
  2. easy answer by burnin1965 · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    So, what is holding us back?


    Greed, lack of vision, and poor management in those who make the decisions.

    Greed: Why dump capital into upgrading and expanding broadband services when you already have a cash cow that generates huge profit margins?

    Lack of vision: Why dump capital into a service that appears to be a solution looking for a problem?

    Poor management: In the US business decisions are based on the second coming principle, you don't invest in anything that doesn't have a 3 month ROI because we all know the end of the world is right around the corner.

    Of course all these are debateable, but those are what I see as the root of the problem.

    burnin
  3. What's holding us back? by Ralph+Spoilsport · · Score: 0, Flamebait
    Jeepers - when a third of the country thinks that Jesus is comin' and thinks that Bush is doing a good job, and believes in creationism, and is deeply skeptical of science and is only interested in technology insofar as it brings them mindless entertainment and can be operated by a 3 year old, WHERE exactly are americans on this? These obese delusional twits don't have the mental torque to pull their heads out of their own butts, muchless spend a dollar and buy a clue that they have been done a gross disservice by their leaders and edumication system, leaving them to be the passive retarded feeders they are, suckling off the teat of resources their corporate masters have ripped out of the third world so they can sit back and drink themselves into a stupour as they glotz the idiot box and drive their SUVs to church and/or Walmart, as if there's a real difference between the two.

    The question isn't what is holding us back - the question is why aren't things worse, and what can we do to amplify the good? The sheeple rotting in the suburbs will die off soon enough when the gas gives out. Then it will simply be a matter of "is there enough bandwidth" for those who remain to get anything done.

    This may read like Flamebait, but it isn't - I'm just angry. This country had great potential until the robber-barons showed up and gutted the place. I've been barking about this for YEARS, and all I ever get is the glazed over countenance of the self-satisfied fear driven dopes that haven't got the creative spirit normally granted a fence post.

    RS

    --
    Shoes for Industry. Shoes for the Dead.
  4. Re:Yeah but by mrbluze · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    Person A: US is too busy being the world leader in other areas.
    Person B: Like what?
    Person A: Healthcare
    Person B: No.. costs twice as much as other countries and not twice as good.
    Person A: Educatian
    Person B: You have to be kidding!
    Person A: Transport
    Person B: You've never been to Europe have you... then again, have you ever travelled at all?
    Person A: What's Europe?
    Person B: Ok, pick another
    Person A: Space
    Person B: Well ok.. but is that really worth it?
    Person A: Military
    Person B: Somebody shoot me...
    * BANG *

    --
    Do it yourself, because no one else will do it yourself. [beta blockade 10-17 Feb]