[Chapter-delegates] Washington Post: America's InternetDisconnect

[Luc Faubert]

Current numbers are hard to come by for Canada, broadband Internet having grown quite a bit in the last 2 years, but the situation is similar here. ISOC Québec estimates 25-30% of Canadians currently have no access to broadband, and that this is a shame.
 
We are participating in a group of local Internet-related associations called Maillons and have put together a project calling for the collaboration of user communities, telcos and governments in a multi-year effort to provide broadband access to all, including distribution of free recycled computers and training, where necessary.
 
We are currently in the startup phase. I'll keep you posted,
 
- Luc Faubert
ISOC Québec
 
 
_________________________________________
Luc Faubert
Conseiller en gouvernance TI et en gestion du changement / 
IT governance and change management consulting
 
GFI Solutions
+1 514 236 5129
www.GFISolutions.com <http://www.gfisolutions.com/> 
www.LucFaubert.com <http://www.lucfaubert.com/> 
 

________________________________

From: chapter-delegates-bounces at elists.isoc.org on behalf of Patrick Vande Walle
Sent: Fri 2006-11-17 10:43
To: Chapter-Delegates at Elists.Isoc.Org
Subject: Re: [Chapter-delegates] Washington Post: America's InternetDisconnect


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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