US lagging behind Japan, Sweden and other countries in broadband
The United States is perceived as cutting edge when it comes to technology, but is it really? Looking at the cold, hard numbers generated by a recent think tank on broadband activity, it becomes apparent that not only is the United States ranked 15th on the international list, the country lags behind countries like Japan and Sweden as far as speed and availability as well.
Japan has the most astonishing broadband speeds at a whopping 63.6M bps, and still manages to keep their broadband rates relatively cheap at $.13 cents per megabit. Sweden clocks in at speeds averaging 16.8M bps (bits per second) and also has reasonable rates. What speed does the United States reach? A measley 4.9M bps – a rate that pales in comparison to other nations and that is tied to some of the most astronomical rates around ($2.83 per megabit).
What keeps the United States so far behind even the smallest nations? Part of the problem is that our government has not mandated that existing broadband providers share their networks with competitors for better speed and reliability as many nations do. Our government also has not subsidized the extension of broadband to rural areas and inner cities that need it but can’t afford to install the infrastructure.
With such a lag behind other countries, the lack of broadband initiatives in the United States puts it at risk of being less competitive in a technology driven world. Already weaker in science and languages than many countries, can the United States afford not to invest in its future but supplying broadband access to those who need it most? The answer is no. We need to catch up, and fast, to compete in future.
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May 6th, 2008
We also lag Japan and Sweden in population density. I’m going to take a wild stab that many areas, like parts of say Wyoming, are pretty low in computers as well.
The problem with these comparisons is equating a country the size of a state with one the size of a continent.
How does Sweden compare with New York? Or Japan with California? How do we compare to the continent of Europe as a whole? How many facilities with broadband exist for free public access like libraries in comparison?
What will private companies do to expand infrastructure if they know a rival can waltz in and utilize the investment? On the pricing, are you comparing subsidized by taxes?
You are going to nationalize broadband, which will be a good thing since it has been illustrated how much more efficient government is compared to private industry.
May 6th, 2008
Yes it is the geographical difference between the U.S. and Europe and the varying population densities. The Wyoming and New York City are great examples.
This is the reason why, in addition to cable and DSL broadband there is also satellite broadband, wireless broadband by Sprint and Verizon and point to point wireless broadband in rural areas here in the U.S. to help fill the gap that cable and DSL cannot or will not provide.
Supposedly part of the switch to digital TV in Feb 2009 is supposed to free up the airwaves for law enforcement and also supposed to help provide more wireless broadband in the future.
May 6th, 2008
“The United States is perceived as cutting edge when it comes to technology”
By whom exactly? … Americans ?
I dont think of america as the cutting edge of technology, definetly military wise, but no other, do you guys ever get outside of your own country ?, does your government tell you this propaganda or what ? seriously, You guys need to go on a holiday around the world, you guys read these surveys then grumble about it, then go straight back to saying “The United States is perceived as cutting edge when it comes to technology “
May 7th, 2008
“The United States is perceived as cutting edge when it comes to technology” get a life, no one outside of U.S.A actually thinks that, only americans do, you guys really need to visit another country in your life, not just listen to what your government and movies tell you, you definetly have cutting edge military technology but then again you font have free health care, i know which i would rather have, as far as general technology goes though your simply on a average level(within developed countries)
Get a Life and stop being so naive.
regards
Darian
March 11th, 2009
I moved back to the U.S. in 2005, after living 15 years abroad. It is shocking how far we have fallen behind the rest of the world in technology. Europe is laden with T1 fiberoptic lines, and in our biggest city, New York, the best you can get is DSL or VOIP. Absolutely awful. In 2009, people are using cell phones that I had 12 years ago in Europe. We will no longer lead the world for anything at all if we can’t catch up and start looking like a First World nation again. I am a proud American, but very sad that we are so far behind Europe and Asia.
October 14th, 2009
I travel around the world often. I am surprised by the speed of the internet in some countries when it comes to downloading files. Hundreds of megabytes in just minutes.
Then I return back home to the USA, in a major city with a huge cable internet provider, and it just amazes me how slow it is. My provider boasts speeds of 12Mbs, yet even in the lowest periods of traffic, I barely get 2 or 3Mbs. I looked into DSL, but its like $70 to get “high” speed of 1.5Mbs, and that is only if I am close to the CO. Still would have to pay the same amount even if I can’t get the full speed.
My internet bill has been going up every year, but over the last several years, I have seen my speed decrease, verified by metrics.
January 22nd, 2011
Hi, just doing some browsing for my Wyoming 4g website. Can’t believe the amount of information out there. Wasn’t exactly what I was looking for, but nice site. Have a great day.