"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness…”
Two recent news stories about two wildly different islands should put an end to the foolishness that somehow the U.S. is failing to make broadband access available to all or that Internet service companies are monopolists that are somehow restricting competition.
Best of times. In Chappaquiddick, Massachusetts, an island 527 feet off of Martha’s Vineyard, residents (80 full-time households) are demanding that cable companies wire their island with high-speed Internet (they do have multiple Internet access options already). Could they get it? Yes, four options have been presented, including one that requires each household pay a one-time installation fee so that the cable company has a chance of recouping its investment.
The Business Week article implies that this is a burden but cites the average household income of almost $94,000 and goes on to note that not everyone is wealthy. The example? A rheumatologist who commutes to Boston. Average income for a Boston rheumatologist? More than $220,000.
Perhaps the one-time installation charge might not be so bad for the poor specialist doctor if he needs broadband to “live.” As he says, “They think we’re just an island of rich people, but there are full-timers here that need broadband to live.”
Worst of times. On the other side of the U.S., 1,200 miles from Anchorage, sits Adak Island and its 326 residents who want continued Internet access. The inhabitants of the island consist of two federal government installations and employers, and subsistence farmers and fisherman, about 326 people—not making $220,000—and yet according to the Politico story it still has two mobile Internet providers. Admittedly those providers face some challenges as the universal service funds are cut back, but they are fighting to have a clear business case for continuing service.
Wisdom. That even in the most remote areas of the country service providers are already providing Internet access, even while searching for ways to provide even faster access.
Foolishness. Claims that access providers are monopolists and not seeking a way to serve every place with even a satisfactory business case. Also foolish, the persistent, inaccurate claims that so many do not have Internet access available to them.
June 29, 2012