[Chapter-delegates] Washington Post: America's Internet Disconnect

[Patrick Vande Walle]

Well, it is incorrect to let the WP readers think that 25 to 100
megabits is common all over Europe or that broadband is cheap
everywhere. In most countries, DSL is around 3-8Mb, with the notable
exception of (part of) France and Germany. 

Where the WP journalist is also wrong is that competition alone will not
not help bring high speed Internet to the less urbanized parts of the
country, because the ROI is negative, or at best neutral.  If one
operator already does not make enough profit in one market, why would
another want to compete on that market ?

It requires enlightened regulators to supplement for the failure of the
market to automagically create competition and lower prices.
Unfortunately, most regulators are more obsessed by hands-off approaches
than by creating an benefical environment for the consumers.

Patrick


Alex Gakuru said the following  on 17/11/2006 16:03:
> America's Internet Disconnect
>
> America's record in expanding broadband communication is so poor that
> it should be viewed as an outrage by every consumer and businessperson
> in the country.
>
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