Will The Needs of the Nation Affect the Internet -
Or will business interests motivated by profit keep us from success.
http://www.the-american-interest.com/articles/2014/01/23/how-slow-expensive-internet-is-holding-our-economy-back/
This article argues that the internet is not moving along fast enough and certainly not cheaply enough. It also argues that the recent ruling by the court that will allow the the FCC to destroy net neutrality will make the problems worse. In fact, the ruling will set our nation on an even more backwards course rather than twoards rather success.
What is exactly is the problem? This is it, says the article: "The problem? We already have the technology to vastly improve internet costs and capabilities; providers just aren’t taking advantage of it.
"There are few exceptions, of course. Verizon launched its FiOS Internet, a fiber-optic internet service with speeds up to 500 Mbps, in 2005—well ahead of the curve. It remains the nation’s largest fiber internet provider, with availability in 16 states and more than 18 million homes, and a current customer base of five million.
"But the fastest FiOS plans are expensive, ringing in at $299.99/month. Even though 18 million homes could get access to 500 Mbps internet, it’s unlikely that the majority of those homes are willing to spend upwards of $300 for it. And if FiOS isn’t already available in your town, don’t expect it anytime soon. In 2012 the company announced an end to FiOS expansion, and it hasn’t budged since.
"Google is trying to pick up some of the slack, proving that it’s possible to provide faster internet for a lower price (and still make a profit). Google Fiber currently provides gigabit internet for $70/month—that’s a few hundred times faster than average broadband speeds, for nearly the same price. They also provide basic internet service (up to five Mbps) for free."
Full article at link at top of this post.
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