Comments on: Can Obama really deliver broadband access to all as a basic right?

By: ladybugpcp

ladybugpcp — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 12:42:37 +0000

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!

By: Tom Amontree

Tom Amontree — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 15:26:56 +0000

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.

By: sunspot

sunspot — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 07:12:32 +0000

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.

By: fireton

fireton — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 03:41:40 +0000

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.

By: lock_down

lock_down — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 01:44:02 +0000

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.

By: DaveBG

DaveBG — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 23:35:22 +0000

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.

By: Colin Xavier

Colin Xavier — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 23:11:16 +0000

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.