Wednesday, February 24, 2010
The Digital Divide in America
Posted By Clayton Norlen on February 24, 2010, 1:57 PM
Affordability is curbing access to the Internet and possibly stunting the competitive edge in American industry.---
A
study released by the Federal Communication Commission Tuesday reports
93 million Americans, or about one-third of the country, do not have
home access to high speed Internet. Of those without broadband, 28
million said they lacked Internet because of the monthly cost,
equipment needs or because they are weary of long-term service
contracts required by providers.
The telephone survey, completed
by the FCC between October and November in 2009, found that broadband
users reported paying $40.68 per month for Internet connections. Those
using dial-up paid about $22.
Julius Genachowski, Chairman of
the FCC said in a prepared statement that a solution must be devised,
or those who are unconnected will continue to be denied opportunities
to fully participate in an increasingly digital economy. By providing
access to the Web, Genachowski suggests it could buoy up American
competitiveness abroad and create future jobs within the United States.
Currently
the Internet exists as a pay to play, scenario and likely will. However
in March the FCC is expected to deliver a National Broadband Plan to
Congress that details strategies for connecting the country to
affordable access. According to a press release from the FCC, this plan
will be a strategy for U.S. global leadership in high-speed Internet.
Read the complete study here.
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