America may very well be the slowest country for broadband Internet. Broadband Internet is to important for this country to ignore. The Healthcare Industry, Universities, and the Technology Field (and many others) all need faster Internet. America invented the Internet and yet, we’ve fallen from 1^st to 16^th in broadband Internet penetration. This country needs to regain a commanding lead on high speed Internet.

Why must we act now?

“The telecommunications industry is at a critical juncture, and our nation is facing a digital divide. The emergence of a new telecommunications system — one based on high speed Internet access, designed for voice, data, and video communications — opens up tremendous opportunities for improving the quality of our economic, civic, and personal lives. It also gives us a chance to close the digital divide.”

America does not have an Internet policy.

“We are falling behind because the United States is the only industrialized country without a national policy to promote high speed Internet access. Instead, we have relied on a hodge-podge of fragmented government programs and uneven private sector responses to changing markets, leaving us with a gaping digital divide.”

The digital divide.

“The digital divide leaves a large slice of our citizens without high speed Internet access, and some without Internet access at all. Those who “go without” are left out of the potential advantages of high speed Internet access in areas as diverse as education and health, to civic participation and staying up on the news. Universal Internet access would ensure that everyone has the chance to reap the benefits of high speed Internet access, and that no one is forced to remain on the wrong side of the digital divide.”

The need for universal Internet access.

“As high speed Internet access is seen more and more as a vital utility, such as water or electric services, those without these services available to them are left stranded in the digital divide. A policy to make universal Internet access a priority would improve the ability for us to close the digital divide by leaps and bounds.

“It is now time for the United States to adopt a comprehensive universal Internet access policy to ensure that we all benefit from the telecommunications and information revolution. Throughout our history we have been able to benefit from major technological advances because we adopted national policies to ensure the widespread and equitable deployment of those technologies. In the 19th century we adopted policies to develop canals and a national railroad system. In the 20th century we instituted policies to develop national telephone and highway systems.

“In the 21st century, we need to have a national, universal high speed Internet access policy.”

There are five key principles.

• “Speed and Universality Matter for Internet Access

• The U.S. “High Speed” Definition is Too Slow
• A National High Speed Internet for All Policy is Critical
• The U.S. Must Preserve an Open Internet
• Consumer and Worker Protections Must Be Safeguarded”

Through awareness we might stand a fighting chance. SpeedMatters.org is a Web site that is dedicated to this issue. If you would like to become a part of this movement or even learn more about this issue, please visit there Web site.

Tags: speed matters, broadband, high speed, internet, america, movements, digital divide, hazymorning