InternetForEveryone.org hopes to put the United States back near the top of the broadband rankings instead of the dismal 15th. Providing everyone with broadband services would certainly up the penetration rate. The group's aim is to foist a national campaign on Congress to connect the country with quality and cheap broadband services.
The group wants you to have your cake and eat it too. To serve up this broadband cake, the group's Web site says that everyone must play their part.
"America's digital decline is a troubling problem that must be faced now. 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."And, presumably, if we all play our part, we'll each get our just desserts. As Marie Antoinette most famously didn't say, "Let them eat cake." Perhaps with a piece of broadband cake, the American people can make a little bread and help pull the United States out of its current economic woes.
A national broadband policy would go a long way in closing the Digital Divide. But what is the first step in making such a policy a reality? And is it possible to have both high quality and low cost? Let us know what you think in the comments.
Let's rule out another one - the de facto method right now is to take what the private companies decide to give us. If you're satisfied with that, you need do nothing further. But the fact that there is a group out there squawking "InternetForEveryone!" would seem to indicate failure with that status quo, wouldn't it?
The first step is to accept that we'll have to take matters into our own hands. When communities realize that they have inside their own boundaries all the skills, talents, resources, and initiative they need to do this on their own...then, they will be off and running.
Community-led initiatives require leadership, initiative, education, motivation, a sense of purpose, and a sense of urgency.
The first step in getting anything worthwhile started is to gather widespread buy-in. That starts with education and an attention-getting project. A modicum of education is needed to ensure that everyone is on the same page.
The line for volunteers starts at the right - local leadership opportunities abound! Anyone? Anyone? Ferris?
July 9th, 2008 // By John Cooper