Since 2001, the US has fallen from 4th in the world in broadband penetration down to 15th in the world today. While American consumers face high prices and few choices, many of our European and Asian counterparts have achieved the goals of universal deployment and competitive markets. Returning to the top of international rankings would translate into millions of new jobs and hundreds of billions of dollars in increased economic activity for the US. While the US is the birthplace of the Internet, and home to many of its greatest ideas and innovators, in the short time since Internet access became publicly available, the US has failed to deliver Internet’s benefits to everyone.
InternetforEveryone.org would like to make a change: InternetforEveryone.org is a national initiative of public interest, civic and industry groups that are working to see that the Internet continues to drive U.S. economic growth and prosperity. nlip.tv, eBay.com, Google, Skype, Vuze are among the numerous member organizations.
Why change is needed
High-speed Internet access is revolutionizing the ways we do business, participate in government, and connect with the world. Yet in the US only 35 percent of homes with less than USD 50,000 in annual income have a high-speed Internet connection. Moreover, nearly 20 million Americans live in areas that are not served by a single broadband provider; tens of millions more live in places where there is just a single choice for high-speed Internet service.
High-speed Internet access can connect people and communities that might not otherwise interact. Unfortunately, broadband's promise is not being realized equally across all racial and ethnic groups in our country. Only 40 percent of racial and ethnic minority households have access to broadband, while 55 percent of non-Hispanic white households are connected.
We have the potential to deliver abundant broadband capacity at prices we all can afford. Yet US consumers pay far too much for far too little compared to citizens in other countries. We have the eighth-highest monthly rates for broadband service among leading developed nations In real terms, this means Internet users in Japan pay about half the price for an Internet connection that's 20 times faster than what's commonly available to people in the United States.
Open Internet access makes free speech a reality for everyone. Freedom of the press extends only to those who own one -- or so the saying goes. It once rang true in a world of newspapers, radio and television stations, and cable networks. But the Internet has changed all that, delivering the press -- and in theory its freedoms -- to any person with a good idea and a connection. Yet powerful political and economic interests are exploring new ways to filter or block user information on the free-flowing Web.
America's digital decline is a troubling problem that must be faced now. There is no single right answer. Putting America back on top and bringing open, high-quality, affordable Internet connections into every home will require a comprehensive and innovative approach. It will require input from federal, state and local governments, businesses large and small, nonprofit organizations and public advocates, civic groups, churches and schools. Everyone must play a role.
Key principles of action
The InternetforEveryone.org initiative calls on Congress and the president to act in the public interest by enacting a plan for the wired and wireless Internet built upon the following principles:
Access / Every home and business in America must have access to a high-speed, world class communications infrastructure.
Choice / Every consumer must enjoy real competition in online content as well as among high-speed Internet providers to achieve lower prices and higher speeds.
Openness / Every Internet user should have the right to freedom of speech and commerce online in an open market without gatekeepers or discrimination.
Innovation / The Internet should continue to create good jobs, foster entrepreneurship, spread new ideas and serve as a leading engine of economic growth.
Read more at InternetforEveryone.com!
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