Fast, Universal Broadband: The Dirty Secret about the Roadblock

[dhilipkumar]

Fast, Universal Broadband: The Dirty Secret about the Roadblock

Where's the fastest broadband service? The Federal Communications Commission's effort to expand availability of high-speed Internet access throughout the U.S. offers a clue as to where -- and why -- the best services exist.
Last month the FCC asked companies, organizations and individuals to comment on the state of broadband in the U.S. as part of its now-annual "706 Inquiry." The FCC will use the information to help with the National Broadband Plan, which aims to make high-speed Internet access available to every U.S. resident.

As responses start to come in, many service providers (including Verizon and Comcast) have made it clear that the FCC's current standard of 768 kbps down and 200 kbps up is an adequate speed definition for broadband Internet access.

there is no reason not to strive for faster speeds; Verizon just doesn't want to be forced to deliver.

So, if you want fast Internet access, don't live in the sticks. The "laws of physics" make it much harder for Verizon to offer FiOS there.

pcworld