Life in the slow lane

[Commentary] Internet in Los Angeles is slow, and you’re paying more for it. That assumes, of course, that you’re not one of the more than 34 percent of Angelenos without access to broadband at home or who cannot afford it.

Those numbers will significantly worsen with the Federal Communications Commission's decision to raise the definition of broadband "bandwidth" to speeds in excess of 25Mbps, up from 4Mbps. While the standards for Internet service keep accelerating, we in LA have been stuck in the slow lane. We can and must do better. In response, I have been joined by the City Council and Mayor to launch CityLinkLA, an effort to expand broadband access to every home and business in the city. In 2015 and beyond, access to information must be a right, not privilege. Universal access to high speed broadband will increase global competitiveness and educational achievement while paying dividends in closing the digital divide, boosting job creation, and enhancing resiliency in the face of terrorism or natural disasters, including and especially the next major earthquake. It’s time to put Los Angeles in the Internet fast lane.

[City Councilmember Blumenfield has represented los Angeles’ Third Council District since 2013]