F.C.C. Expanding Efforts to Connect More Americans to Broadband

[alp227]

Source: NY Times

As part of a broad effort to encourage more Americans to use high-speed Internet and be able to compete in the global economy, the Federal Communications Commission has brought together a group of private companies that will offer free computer training to people in disadvantaged communities.

Starting next year, the familiar blue-shirted Geek Squad from Best Buy, one of the nation’s largest electronics retailers, will work through service organizations like Boys and Girls Clubs, Goodwill and 4-H in 20 cities to offer training in basic computer literacy. Microsoft will also offer such training, as well as job-search training, in schools and libraries in 15 states and in their stores nationwide.

“It’s one important stop of the train,” Julius Genachowski, chairman of the F.C.C., said in an interview Tuesday, referring to the many things that need to be done to connect more Americans to the Internet. He plans to announce Wednesday that these companies and others have made a commitment through a new group called Connect to Compete to help more people learn to use computers.

Only 68 percent of Americans with access to high-speed broadband Internet are using it, while in places like South Korea the rate is 90 percent.

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/12/us/fcc-expanding-efforts-to-connect-more-americans-to-broadband.html

[Downwinder]

1. Apples and oranges.

Broadband Internet speeds in the United States are only about one-fourth as fast as those in South Korea, the world leader, according to the Internet monitoring firm Akamai.

The slower connection here in the U.S. costs about $45.50 per month on average, according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. In South Korea, the much-faster hookup costs $17 per month less. An average broadband bill there runs about $28.50.

http://articles.cnn.com/2010-03-31/tech/broadband.south.korea_1_broadband-plan-south-korea-broadband-internet?_s=PM:TECH

[No Elephants]

2. My public library gives that training to anyone for free and public schools teach kids.

They are closing libraries and schools and hiring private trainers?

Give people free broadband and they'll teach themselves how to use it, or their kids will teach them.

[Nay]

3. U have to wonder why they're worried about getting us all on broadband when

they don't worry AT ALL about pushing to get us all literate, or numerate, or...

:think:

Oh, yeah! Corporations and private trainers will make gobs of dough with the broadband shit!

Now that was easy, wasn't it??

If it was just a matter of being able to use a damn computer, all those kids coming out of college would have jobs, for Christ's sake. How long are we going to be fed this hooey?

[Maine_Nurse]

4. Gee, wouldn't it be nice if we all had ACCESS to broadband too?

I am in one of many communities in Maine that have zero broadband options. We have no cable company, cell services is too spotty (terrain issues and lack of towers)to support a decent signal, DSL isn't an option because of distances from the needed nodes, and even satellite is ruled out for many like me due to tall, old forest growth. Dialup is absolute crap in our area and delivers about 3k throughput.

[Tace]

5. I'm Up In The Green Mountains Of Central Vermont -- Same Here

I've got satellite, though it costs a mint and sucks, mostly because of slow upload/download and very limited daily bandwidth caps.

Edit to add: At least we don't have everybody obliviously walking around (in the woods) with a cell phone stuck to their ear, like how it seems most other places.

[matt819]

6. Same in rural NH

I pay an obscene amount for a wireless 3G connection. Satellite available, but with caps, no DSL, no more radio wireless, no cable.

[chrisa]

7. We're being destroyed in the internet area of things

I don't even think we're in the top 10. Granted the US is a big country with many rural areas, but still - we aren't doing very well.

[cyberswede]

8. Some changes proposed by the FCC actually THREATEN rural broadband

I got this from our ISP (a small local company in our small town).

---------------------------

YOU CAN HELP SAVE RURAL BROADBAND -

Save Rural Broadband Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZuQWVo6uIc

The FCC has proposed radical policy changes that could deprive
millions of individuals, businesses, and governments of affordable,
high-quality broadband Internet access. Rural broadband providers
have responded by putting forward alternative proposals that will
make reform work for consumers, and that alternative is now before
the FCC for review.

Visit http://www.saveruralbroadband.org to complete a pre-written
letter you can send electronically to your senators, your
representative, and the Obama administration. The future of Internet
access for millions of rural consumers hangs in the balance, so
please take action now and make your voice heard.

[Terry in Austin]

9. "Compete in the global economy"

Oh, gag me with fairy tale...

Are they still taking that one seriously, or is it just a knee-jerk mantra at this point?

It's SO 1990's -- the race to the bottom is over, and we won. GAFB.

And don't even get started on that 68% crapola.