Democrats call for broadband policy at convention

At the Democratic National Convention two weeks ago, several Democrats demanded that a national broadband policy becomes a key component of the next congressional agenda.

Many called President Bush to task for promising to have universally available broadband throughout the country by 2007. That clearly hasn't happened; according to the Speed Matters 2008 report, the United States ranks 15th internationally, with speeds 30 times slower than leader, Japan. Senator Jay Rockefeller (D-W. VA) said the U.S. has gone from "leader to laggard" in broadband rollout.

Speed Matters was very visible at the convention. Delegates tested their Internet speed at the Speed Matters kiosk in the convention center, and all received a copy of the Speed Matters 2008 report.

Keynote speaker, former Virginia Governor Mark Warner, made a point to include broadband as part of his primetime speech:

"We delivered broadband to the most remote areas of our state, because if you can send a job to Bangalore, India, you sure as heck can send one to Danville, Va., and Flint, Mich., and Scranton, Pa., and Peoria, Ill. In a global economy, you should have to leave your home town to find a world-class job."

At a technology forum in Denver during the week of the convention, panelists pointed out that less than 50 percent of Latinos, African-Americans, rural residents and people making less than $20,000 annually have broadband access in their home.

Former Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Department of Commerce, Larry Irving elaborated:

"Whether you think that's important or not, some of those people do. There are young, bright kids in barrios; there are young, bright kids in Appalachia; there are young, bright kids born in the projects who are not getting out because they're not able to go home every night and do their homework."

Irving and other panelists pushed for better statistics and maps to be gathered as a first step towards achieving a comprehensive broadband policy.

Democratic convention brings calls for broadband policy (Computer World)

2008 Report on Internet Speeds in All 50 States (Speed Matters)

Speed Test (Speed Matters)

Mark Warner’s DNC Keynote Address (CBS News)