The Plan: Ensuring high speed internet access for all
Under current standards, our government promotes a policy of high speed internet access for some. The lucky ones are generally more affluent individuals living in urban areas where the infrastructure is available, while many others are simply left behind. It is this division of internet users that creates the digital divide. If we are to promote economic development, civic participation, and an improved quality of life, state governments must get involved to promote an open internet and high speed internet access for all – and effectively erase the digital divide for good.
One step we must take to close the digital divide is to promote a national “high speed internet access for all” policy, which adopts affordable universal access and guarantee that the proper infrastructure is available in all communities. Government policies must ensure compliance at the federal level, but also build-out at state and local levels. Our digital divide can only get smaller if all levels of government are committed to change. To ensure that networks reach all residents, the U.S. should also set specific benchmarks for compliance.
However, when coming up with solutions high speed internet access alone is not enough. Other considerations we must address to close the digital divide are cost and accessibility. Once more, users need to be ensured of an open internet once online – where equal consideration is given to websites with high bandwidth or low bandwidth. Preserving an open internet means that nothing should be done to degrade or block access to any website.
The fact is, we are in the midst of an information and technology revolution where internet users are finding more innovative ways to utilize technology. Users need to be guaranteed an open internet where they have equal access to more complex websites.
There are a number of bold but specific steps that the United States should take to recover our lost leadership and competitive position and to ensure that all residents have the ability to benefit from high speed internet access:
