US Falls Behind in Broadband?

08/08/2005 at 12:00 p.m.

The U.S. has fallen from 4th to 13th in the global rankings of broadband internet usage. High speed internet in Japan and Korea is faster, better, and cheaper than here in the U.S.. Why has this happened? What does it mean for our future? The city of Tacoma has its own internet service. Hermiston, Oregon has an advanced wireless high speed internet service. Can cities and towns be the leaders? Or will it take the federal government to lead the way? The federal government created the internet. Should the federal government get in the business of creating a national broadband network? Can government act quickly enough in the rapidly changing world of high speed internet? Also, as some cities try to get into the broadband business, private companies have successfully lobbied to keep them out. Fourteen states have passed law keeping localities from municipal wi-fi service. What will that do to broadband access?

Guests:
Thomas Bleha Worked for the Foreign Service in Japan for eight years. Wrote article in Foreign Affairs magazine.