Cleveland Plain Dealer Echoes Speed Matters Message

A recent editorial in the Cleveland Plain Dealer made a strong case for universal high speed internet access in Ohio and in the rest of the country. The editorial board noted that Ohio ranked 40th in the nation in the Speed Matters state-by-state report on internet speeds. They went on to explain the implications of Ohio's poor ranking:

Why do such measures matter? Because specific applications such as telemedicine and business videoconferencing require higher speeds. Regions that lack fast, reliable connectivity are akin to those without rail or interstate highway access - cut off from the infrastructure required to participate in the modern economy.

The writers then called on Ohio Governor Ted Strickland to live up to his campaign promises and work toward expanding internet access for all Ohioans. They lauded U.S. Rep. Zack Space – who represents Ohio's 18th District – for his hard work in Congress raising awareness about the importance of high speed internet access.

Finally, the editorial looks toward solutions to the problem. It cites the success of the ConnectKentucky program, which has increased high speed internet availability by 50 percent in Kentucky and is now being viewed as a model for programs in other states. The editorial writers note that it's a difficult problem with no easy solution, but the importance of this issue demands a concerted effort to truly make high speed internet available to all.

Speed Matters: A Report on Internet Speeds in All 50 States

The need for speed (Cleveland Plain Dealer)

Getting Rural Ohio Plugged In (Speed Matters)

High Speed in the Blue Grass (Speed Matters)

ConnectKentucky: A Model for the rest of the country (Speed Matters)