Will The Needs of the Nation Affect the Internet -
Or will business interests motivated by profit keep us from success.
http://www.the-american-interest.com/articles/2014/01/23/how-slow-expensive-internet-is-holding-our-economy-back/
This article argues that the internet is not moving along fast enough and certainly not cheaply enough. It also argues that the recent ruling by the court that will allow the the FCC to destroy net neutrality will make the problems worse. In fact, the ruling will set our nation on an even more backwards course rather than twoards rather success.
What is exactly is the problem? This is it, says the article: "The problem? We already have the technology to vastly improve internet costs and capabilities; providers just arent taking advantage of it.
"There are few exceptions, of course. Verizon launched its FiOS Internet, a fiber-optic internet service with speeds up to 500 Mbps, in 2005well ahead of the curve. It remains the nations largest fiber internet provider, with availability in 16 states and more than 18 million homes, and a current customer base of five million.
"But the fastest FiOS plans are expensive, ringing in at $299.99/month. Even though 18 million homes could get access to 500 Mbps internet, its unlikely that the majority of those homes are willing to spend upwards of $300 for it. And if FiOS isnt already available in your town, dont expect it anytime soon. In 2012 the company announced an end to FiOS expansion, and it hasnt budged since.
"Google is trying to pick up some of the slack, proving that its possible to provide faster internet for a lower price (and still make a profit). Google Fiber currently provides gigabit internet for $70/monththats a few hundred times faster than average broadband speeds, for nearly the same price. They also provide basic internet service (up to five Mbps) for free."
Full article at link at top of this post.
SamKnause
(13,114 posts)The United States should not be wasting money on the internet, or any internet updates.
Our tax dollars should be used for the Military Industrial Complex, police patrolling every street in the US, and for incarcerating our citizens for EVERY illegal infraction.
Our military should be invading every country on this planet.
Every citizen should have a police officer escort 24/7.
The citizens of this country can not be trusted.
They are the enemy.
We need MORE private prisons and federal prisons.
If we can incarcerate 150 million people, it will solve our unemployment problem.
Wall Street, CEOs, and global corporations should be given total control over our government.
They are the best of the best, the best and the brightest.
They have proven this time after time.
We do not need elections in this country.
They get in the way of our esteemed job creators.
The global corporations should control our schools.
They know what knowledge will be needed for our excellent $1.00 per hour jobs.
They should deduct the cost of our education from our wages.
Creationists and the Tea Party should be consulted on all matters in this country.
They were given their knowledge by God and they know how to unite this country.
Any white collar criminals that are now incarcerated should be released immediately.
They are a special breed, the best and the brightest, and their actions should NEVER be questioned.
This is the America I want to live in !!!!
How about you ?
truedelphi
(32,324 posts)Or right off my keyboard.
I keep waiting for us all to be carted off to FEMA camps. With all the money being spent on them, and also on those prison remodels, I think the living conditions must be pretty darn posh.
Our local prison district has been given some 22 millions of dollars to refurbish 120 cells. I think that must mean that each cell will have its own private jacuzzi, and possibly big screen TV's?
SamKnause
(13,114 posts)That 22 million will buy the best torture devices known to mankind.
I say, money well spent.
cprise
(8,445 posts)They were even through the worst of the economic crisis. And they want only the 'juicy' customers.
Why would they invest more in infrastructure? Cartels are not infrastructure- or civic-minded and every single fiber, word and action of their PACs will demonstrate that.