Like millions of Americans, I listened to President Obama address on health care to the Joint Session of Congress. While I’m no expert on health care policy, I couldn’t help but hear some important points that resonate in the broadband policy debate.
Universal coverage. President Obama spoke passionately about the importance of leaving no American behind. By all accounts, his Administration appears equally committed to this important notion when it comes to broadband. Where are we today? A full 96% of Americans have access to broadband—and from federal stimulus efforts to private investment—there is near-universal commitment to finding innovative ways to reach these final digital frontiers. We still have a ways to go promoting digital literacy and overcoming other barriers to broadband adoption (the subject of recent FCC workshops on a national broadband strategy). But we also shouldn’t lose sight of the fact that U.S. broadband adoption has occurred at a much faster pace than any previous landmark innovation (see chart below). We have made extraordinary progress to date—and all stakeholders are committed to making universal broadband a reality.
| Communications Technology | Years to 50% U.S. Household Penetration |
|---|---|
| Broadband | 9 |
| Wireless Phones | 16 |
| Personal Computers | 20 |
| Color TV | 20 |
| Cable Television | 35 |
| Telephones | 50+ |
A pro-market POV. The U.S. government is investing $7.2 billion in broadband deployment thanks to the recent stimulus package. Too often overlooked is the fact that the nation’s nearly 1,400 broadband providers invest more than $50 billion each year in U.S. communications networks. President Obama’s exact words last night: “Consumers do better when there’s choice and competition. That’s how the market works.” Today, the vast majority of Americans have multiple choices for their broadband service not only among companies, but also technologies, platforms and service plans. And, our nation stands virtually alone with its redundant nationwide broadband infrastructure. It’s a truly remarkable achievement given our country’s vast geography. The market works. And, when consumers have choices, their decisions, not static government policies, guide innovation.
We have 160 days to for the FCC to deliver a national broadband strategy. President Obama’s words last night were clearly focused on health care. But the lines he drew say something, too, about his underlying core beliefs. If the result is a passionate commitment to universal access and a pragmatic understanding of the constructive public, private and community engagement it will take to get us there, then our connected future may be healthy indeed.
2 Responses to “Reading the Tea Leaves: What President Obama’s Health Care Speech Might Tell Us About U.S. Broadband Policy”
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September 21st, 2009 at 4:34 pm
[...] to hear him note the importance of broadband-fueled investment and innovation to the future of health care, education, energy and other vital national priorities that a robust, well-managed Internet helps [...]
October 2nd, 2009 at 4:59 pm
[...] to hear him note the importance of broadband-fueled investment and innovation to the future of health care, education, energy and other vital national priorities that a robust, well-managed Internet helps [...]