The Problems with Broadband in America

Tenken writes "Salon has an article about the state of broadband in America. After seeing what many other countries have accomplished with their broadband markets, namely Japan, Korea, and (gasp) even Canada, the current state of affairs in the U.S. is looking pretty dismal. I'm sure I'm not the only one tired of paying $45 a month just for cable internet." From the article: "Across the globe, it's the same story. In France, DSL service that is 10 times faster than the typical United States connection; 100 TV channels and unlimited telephone service cost only $38 per month. In South Korea, super-fast connections are common for less than $30 per month. Places as diverse as Finland, Canada and Hong Kong all have much faster Internet connections at a lower cost than what is available here. In fact, since 2001, the U.S. has slipped from fourth to 16th in the world in broadband use per capita. While other countries are taking advantage of the technological, business and education opportunities of the broadband era, America remains lost in transition."

100 Times Faster?

[Anonymous Coward]

I'll bet that if MY DSL were 100 times faster than my current DSL, I would have gotten first post.

yea, but we make the content

[Anonymous Coward]

The rest of the world needs to realize that the US makes most of the content. We make the most movies and best movies. We make the best music and even invented Rock and Roll. Our former VP Al Gore even invented the Internet. Our best company Microsoft even makes the best software.

Why is the rest of the world complaining? The US pays for all that content so the rest of the world can get it for free. After all 3rd world countries like France can't afford premium content at our rates, so we have to amortize the rates and charge more in the US and less across the pond.

Re:Canadian broadband

[Anonymous Coward]

Ya but thats in Canadian bandwidth. Converted to American, its only around 256k down, 56k up.

Re:I wonder

[Bloggins]

But subsidizing this in Canada would go against the NAFTA agreement, and we dont ignore NAFTA do we?.

Re:what's with the gasp?

[Anonymous Coward]

Well it sure as heck wasn't sarcasm.

Re:100 Times Faster?

[toma-kun]

If my DSL were 100 times faster I would be too busy looking at pr0n to post here.

Re:I know the answer

[frankm_slashdot]

absolutely - its the state of porn in america that is dismal.

granted, i may not agree with shitting my pants and licking throwup off of my girlfriend.. but at least the other countries try to make it a little different and interesting. wtf america. make porn worth watching.

Doupoly vs. free market

[cpu_fusion]

What, you say two established monopolies (cable/phone) don't truly "compete" when you put them against each other in a doupoly?

The next things you'll tell me is that:
1. Pepsi and Coke are behind fizzy water costing 50 cents for 12 ounces,
2. Republicans and Democrats collude to keep everything "right vs. left",
3. Management vs. labor is an illusion, and
4. Good vs. evil is too black and white!

How un-american! Two competitors makes a market or you support terrorism. AND AT A TIME OF WAR!!

(Hey, what are those free market regulators we pay to work in Washington up to anyways?)

Re:Canadian broadband

[Anonymous Coward]

Ya but thats in Canadian bandwidth. Converted to American, its only around 256k down, 56k up.

However, the average Canadian bit is far better educated, much less arrogant, more peaceful and uses much better grammar.

Re:Important differance...government...

[Cro Magnon]

In most of those places, the government either owns or has significant control over the Telcoms industry

In the US the Telcoms own or have significant control over the government! Damn, when did we become a Soviet Russia joke?

Re:They forgot Sweden

[joelsanda]

They forgot Sweden

No they didn't. They just didn't see the Wi-Fi point behind the tall blond with blue eyes.

Re:I wonder

[diamondsw]

Other countries have proved its possible, and that it works better for more people than the way America does it. Will you really be so foolish as to let ideology stand in opposition to demonstrated proof of benefit to your own person?

Are you being anti-American? Unpatriotic even? Even... a terrorist?

Silly hippy

[Anonymous Coward]

Of course poverty is a moral failing. Only the lazy and stupid are poor. This is America, where everyone has the same opportunity to rise to greatness. Obviously, I am rich because I am better than you, because I worked harder and smarter. Because the strong survive while the weak perish, the great American race becomes stronger. Everyone here could be rich if they wanted it. Everyone could be a millionaire in America, with servants who would all also be millionaires...