This morning on MSNBC Erin Burnett was talking about the FCC releasing their plan this week to increase the nation’s broadband speeds and penetration. During the segment she pointed to a new report stating that we are #18 when it comes to internet speed. Romania even beats us out.
Is it any wonder that we are struggling in the 21st century economy when we are still stuck with 20th century technology? To exemplify this, take a look at the U.K.:
The Tory party has once again pledged super-fast broadband, and has gone a step further by stating that if the party wins the general election it will provide Britain with the fastest broadband in Europe.
Broadband speeds have become a big part of the promises that the various political parties have been making in a bid to win votes in the up and coming general election. The Labour government has already put its own plans in place to improve broadband access and speeds, and recently the Conservative party also promised to ensure that Britain would get faster broadband speeds and better access.
When do we hear our politicians campaign on increasing internet speeds? Even during the 2008 campaign it was never really that big of an issue. True a lot of that had to do with a Republican candidate who didn’t even know how to open an email, but still.
If the U.S. wants to really compete we have to bring the backbone of the 21st century economy up to par in our nation. The U.S. was instrumental in bringing the world into the technological age. Now we seem to be ignoring it.