Why Every American Should have Broadband Access

WHY EVERY AMERICAN SHOULD HAVE BROADBAND ACCESS
[SOURCE: Financial Times, AUTHOR: FCC Chairman Kevin Martin]
[Commentary] Today we are living through a technological revolution. Broadband and the ability to communicate at increasing speeds are increasing our productivity, helping drive our economy and affecting every aspect of daily life. As chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, my priority is speeding the deployment of fibre infrastructure and broadband services. Today, the FCC issues its most recent broadband development report, and we are closing in on President George W. Bush’s goal of providing broadband access to every US household. With 42.9 million subscribers, the US has more people connected to broadband than any other country, and the report notes that the number of broadband subscribers continues to grow rapidly. Advanced services lines increased by 60 per cent in 2005. The report also indicates that about 91 per cent of those with access to cable television services have access to cable broadband and about 76 per cent of those with landline telephones have access to a residential DSL (digital subscriber line) service. All this means that more than 85 per cent of the country has access to cable, DSL or both. There is still more we can do to encourage competition and speed broadband deployment. We must ensure that government regulations do not unreasonably stifle further investment and market entry. The FCC has taken several steps to create a policy environment that encourages network providers to invest in further broadband deployment. Last summer, the commission deregulated DSL services. This decision allows broadband platforms to invest in their networks without having to provide their rivals with access at unfair discounts. The commission is working to facilitate broadband throughout America. This country has a longstanding history of equal opportunity, an underlying value that once compelled us to work to connect everyone to the telephone network. Now it must mean providing the ability to connect with broadband. Since 2001 when I came to the commission, the number of high-speed lines has increased more than sixfold. We stand ready to tackle the remaining challenges to our goal of universal, affordable broadband access for all Americans.
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