Is broadband necessary?

America's Network,  Nov 15, 2004  by Al Senia

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The only real telecom angle to the recently concluded presidential campaign focused on the need to deliver faster broadband access for the general population and emphasized the slightly different means each candidate would use to achieve that goal. But did anyone bother to ask if the general populace really gives a hoot about receiving faster Internet connections and related services like VoIP?

Bill Hegmann, recently elected president of NECA, the trade organization representing more than 800 rural service providers, doesn't think so. In a recent interview with America's Network, he questioned the need for such a national broadband plan. It could cause rural carriers to hike fees for all subscribers, which Hegmann believes is a mistake. "A rise in fees of even $6 to $10 would be a tax on the poor," he argues. "There are a lot of people on fixed incomes who can't afford that kind of increase." Besides, he contends, many phone customers who want Internet access do just fine with standard dial-up service.

COPYRIGHT 2004 Questex Media Group, Inc.
COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning