High-Speed Internet Needed Nationwide

Americans living in many rural areas nationwide may not be able to read this blog very easily. For many communities, they simply do not have access to a high-speed connection. For others with low incomes, they cannot afford the steep costs of a fast connection.

In fact, this New York Times article reports that 33 percent of Americans with access to a broadband connection elect not to subscribe. Finances are definitely a reason, which warrants further federal investigation as to how costs could be reduced without driving ISPs out of business. According to the article, age is another factor as just 30 percent of Americans 65 or older use broadband Internet.

Still, despite many people electing not to use their service, there is still 4 percent of Americans who do not have any access to high-speed Internet in their homes. For me, this is incredibly troubling. In today's world, access to information on this information is vital. There are many topics that mainstream news sources will not dare to cover, which is one reason that independent media on the Internet is so important. Without access to this vital information, one cannot be as informed.

Many countries, like Finland, have made access to high-speed Internet a legal right of all of its citizens. In October, Finland declared that starting next July every citizen will be guaranteed access to a one-megabit broadband connection. By the end of 2015, each citizen will be able to access a 100-megabit connection.

Americans need access to high-speed Internet. As reported here, a task force report released Friday in Minnesota is making universal broadband access a goal for that state. Minnesota is currently 24th in broadband access, but hopes to jump into the top five. The report examined the existing WiFi coverage and the state's rural areas, and made recommendations on how to achieve greater coverage by 2015. Let's hope that the federal government can come up with a similar plan of action soon and implement it to make universal broadband access a reality for the United States.

For more information on this issue, check out this blog post or InternetForEveryone.org.