Obama win may mean faster rural internet… in the future

Sure, Democrats have lots to be happy about with Barack Obama’s win, but this item from “Wired” shows that the biggest benefit might come for everyone in the form of improved and expanded Internet access in rural areas and among economically strapped populations. For the first time in several decades the FCC may not be controlled entirely by the telecom industry. That could mean huge gains for “net neutrality” (equal access to the same universal Internet instead of multiple networks in which private companies control the fastest Internet) and public broadband networks, which have long been opposed by big service providers.

Check out this section from a Wired blog post by Sarah Lai Stirland about Susan Crawford, the Obama transition team’s FCC reviewer:

And in a final introductory statement during her talk (that’s likely to send shivers down the spines of telecom company executives) she said that she believes internet access is a “utility.”

“This is like water, electricity, sewage systems: Something that each and all Americans need to succeed in the modern era. We’re doing very badly, and we’re in a dismal state,” she said at the time.

I’ll say again: if places like the Iron Range or any other rural part of Minnesota are to truly diversify their economies, increased Internet usage, application and education will be necessary to compete. I would hope the big companies would realize the opportunity involved in privately providing Internet as a public utility, but they shouldn’t be allowed to preserve the status quo at the expense of our country’s economic strength in the future.

I don’t know how much of a priority the Obama administration will make this Internet endeavor, but he has mentioned it in several interviews. Certainly, a net neutrality-friendly FCC will be a first step in the right direction.

H/T mcjoan at DailyKos

Comments

  1. hey shouldn’t be allowed to preserve the status quo at the expense of our country’s economic strength in the future.

    The Range needs to diversify its economy. What better way than by providing universal high speed internet and promoting itself as the Range Technology Corridor? With its easy access to the outdoors, the Range is well-positioned to attract technology companies and workers if it provides the modern infrastructure to support it.

    It would be a lot better investment of IRRB money than empty buildings and office parks that compete with existing downtowns. And it would provide real opportunities for young people who now have to go elsewhere if they want a career, not just a “job”.

  2. Have you been following Monticello, and their internet fiber-to-the-home upgrade effort, and the situation with their private service provider, competitor – one that would not show interest until the city said, hey, we’ll do it ourselves.

    http://www.monticellofiber.com/

    Maybe a kick in the Bumstead is what’s needed at your home on the Range.

  3. Sure da Range should be more “wired”; but what does that have to do with the federal government? It is the federal government’s responsibility to provide defense, not access to surf the web or free copies of the Messi News.

  4. It has to do with who controls the internet and how it’s regulated. I argue for an open source internet provided privately but regulated publicly, not unlike the power industry. It’s about treating the internet like a utility rather than a luxury. If people working in internet-related fields can get better access in their homes and businesses, new jobs not attached to physical location will be available to people who want to live on the Range.

  5. You want the federal government to control the internet?
    Who do you want to provide and cover the cost of the infrastructure and maintenance?

  6. Doesn’t the Chinese Communist government control the internet?

  7. Regulate. Not control. I envision a system very similar to how power and phones are regulated. And by regulate I mean ensure equal, affordable and fair access. It has nothing to do with the content which is first amendment protected, unlike China. It will be expensive. I’ve written about 50posts about this and I’m not going to rehash every one because this is your outrage of the day.

    I’m going to log off now and say the same thing anonymously. That will REALLY prove my point.

  8. Yes, very expensive, but, heck, we can soak the rich and spread their wealth!
    It is so nice not to have to worry about my mortgage or my bills now that Obama is elected!!!

  9. We can thank Obama for the drop in gas prices. We will soon thank Obama for delivering really cheap extra fast high speed internet to the Iron Range.
    Obama’s gonna change the world!!!

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