Can Obama really deliver broadband access to all as a basic right?
By Leslie Poston
President-elect Barack Obama has been detailing his plans for America when he takes office in January 2009, and technology is at the top of his list as a major facet to fixing another big issue facing us – the economy. His vision that technology can be a key factor in a global economic recovery is dead on, I think. His opinion that Americans lag far behind others in technology opportunities and technology itself is also correct.
Obama recently announced that as part of his overarching plan for improving our total technological outlook and the economy, he would be prioritizing the national infrastructure for broadband. To the concept, I say it’s about darn time someone did. Broadband Internet has long been approaching “basic right” status. More and more services, jobs and basic needs are available to those with broadband, while remaining difficult or impossible to obtain for those without. This is creating a huge rift in our society – a major chasm between the haves and have-nots.
The trouble with this good idea is implementation. Obama’s plan to catapult us past 15th place globally for broadband access makes perfect sense on paper. It is fully actionable, detailed and set out on a reasonable time table. Why my continued trepidation that it won’t see the light of day in time to really help us or our economy? Two words: red tape. The power of the greedy telecommunications companies in Congress and the Senate is mighty. They have deep pockets, lobbyists galore and a lot to lose. Witness how many have gone to tiered access, and hoe many refuse to make their service better where it already exists – just to save a buck.
I think the resistance from those in government with deep ties to the telcos will prove a major hurdle for Obama as a new president. Sure, the big picture shows us that we need the infrastructure and technology to keep pace with the world and retain (or perhaps regain, now) our place as a world economic leader. Showing people the big picture in the face of spin may prove daunting. It is my hope that his talents as a communicator and as someone who can find common ground coupled with his tech-heavy cabinet selections will help him bridge the gap and captain this sinking ship. I truly hope that he can ‘make it so’ when it comes to universal broadband in all parts of America.
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Stumble It!
December 21st, 2008
An excellent initiative but one which will ultimately go nowhere. For this to work, it will require the full backing of the broadband companies and that just isn’t going to happen.
December 21st, 2008
All across the world Gov’s are turning white in shock as they see the data come in for the kind of recession/slimp we’re facing for the next 1 – 2yrs (possibly longer).
Big capital public spending programs are being started as a way of deflecting the worst that is headed our way.
Obviously investment which benefits the nation in the long-term is top of the agenda and things like massively boosting the internet infrastructure head that list.
December 21st, 2008
Well if it’s anything like the UK proposal for universal and fast broadband you’ll get loads of proposals, summits, consultations and big promises, but, ultimately, you’ll get nothing.
On both sides of the pond there is too much hindrance.
Monthly packages, subscriptions, data usage, fair usage, privacy, maintainance, greedy ISP’s, etc etc etc will hold this all back.
A lot of it though comes from Governments thinking they can get ISP’s to do anything without resistance.
December 22nd, 2008
Think you have hit it on the head. I can’t see our greedy, profit driven corporate telecoms ever allowing it to happen, at least as a government sponsored program. If entrepreneurs were will to try it free with support from advertising perhaps it might succeed.
December 22nd, 2008
It might work, if Obama approaches it the way South Korea did. They have a very successful broadband system with massive government participation.
Let’s not forget the government was able to get the Interstate Highway system built way back in the 1950s – a much bigger undertaking at the time than expanding broadband access would be today. Roosevelt’s big rural electrification push during the Great Depression is another example of a successful infrastructure rollout backed by the federal government.
December 23rd, 2008
Thank you for your article on the importance of broadband to the nation’s economic recovery. While we disagree with global broadband rankings that have the U.S. (70 million broadband households) “behind” Iceland (128,000 households), clearly more can be done to extend broadband’s reach to all Americans. Last year, the nation’s nearly 1,400 broadband providers invested more than $60 billion in modern communications infrastructure throughout the country. That’s more than the federal government spent on all U.S. transportation infrastructure in 2007.
We do need to reach toward universal broadband. However, it’s wrong to assume that telecoms would oppose such important progress. In addition to our substantial investments, we have been strongly supportive of innovative public-private initiatives, such as prioritizing federal rural broadband loans to unserved areas and working with local leaders to encourage deployment and adoption.
More than 90% of households in America have access to broadband. We share President-elect Obama’s view that broadband represents essential modern infrastructure that should be accessible to all Americans. This is a vital national priority, and U.S. broadband providers are committed to doing our part to help make it a reality.
December 29th, 2008
Leslie, We (middle class America) have used the “power of the pen” to implement change in many causes for the people of this country and other countries. If everyone would first write their elected officials, to let them know they expect this to happen here in the US – broadband access for all internet users. Then each person with internet service, cell phone service, etc. should write their service provider OFTEN saying they want this to happen and they would like it to happen first with the provider they are currently using; however, they and all their family members, co-workers, relatives, and friends have decided to support the first provider to accomplish this for customers – it will get the attention of those BIG companies. Bottom line for them is sales and profit… our dollars can influence the course of this action. It is simple to write, and write again, we only need to DO IT!