Hey Virginia, test your Internet speed!
InRich.com has put out a call to readers urging them to take the Speed Matters Speed Test. The news site will report the results to its readers and at the same time help collect data that will be included in Speed Matters' second annual state-by-state Internet speed report later this summer.
This is exactly what our government should be doing -- determining which parts of the country have high speed connections and which do not, with an eye toward influencing our leaders to expand access to everyone in every region.
The InRich.com article also quotes CWA research economist Debbie Goldman:
The U.S. is behind the rest of the world in every broadband measure -- in speed, price and percentage of households that subscribe, said Debbie Goldman, a member of Gov. Timothy M. Kaine's broadband task force.
The task force, which was created last year, will issue a report this fall on what Virginia can do to promote high speed Internet service in all corners of the state.
Speed Matters has already released a state-by-state report on U.S. Internet speeds, including findings that showed Virginia with an average speed of 2.39 megabits per second -- above the national average of 1.97 but well below other countries like Japan, which features average speeds of 61 megabits per second.
Taking the speed test is just the first step in bridging the digital divide in this country. Our government should take the initiative to develop a comprehensive map of Internet speeds -- a crucial first step toward universal high speed Internet access. Legislation currently being considered by Congress would move us toward this goal by requiring the FCC to collect better data. It is vitally important that the Broadband Data Improvement Act passes so we may begin plugging in those who have so far been left behind the digital age.
Virginia struggles to find out who's connected (Speed Matters)
Former Gov. Warner leads Virginia high speed internet panel (Speed Matters)
Speed Matters State-by-State Internet Speed Report
Virginia Speed Test Results (Speed Matters)
Senator Inouye Introduces Broadband Data Improvement Act (Speed Matters)
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