What I wrote to the FCC today
I have "high speed" internet. What this means is a connection that's
acceptable for browsing the web and streaming low-quality video. I
realize many people in our country are still confined to dial-up. But
that's not the whole issue. I'm a web developer and I want more. I
need more. I want what other countries already have: fiber-to-the-curb
level access. This is not just a luxury. In order to fully participate
in the cloud-computing infrastructure and the inevitable conversion of
the web to a real-time data platform, my grossly assymetrical (read:
very low upstream bandwidth) connection just doesn't cut it. Believe
me, I've tried. I spent months trying to convert my workflow to take
advantage of the cloud and ultimately gave up in frustration. We're
not third-world when it comes to bandwidth, but we're second world at
best as consumers. I have the best consumer connection money can buy
and it's lacking. I'm considering moving to one of the few locations
in the US where connectivity rivals that of Japan et al.
This is not an issue of luxury. This is our economy. The writing is on
the wall. If we don't do something about this now, we'll fall farther
behind. We're 22nd now. The last I looked we were 16th. We're going
the wrong way.
If the FCC caves to the well-funded pressures of telco giants, we'll
keep going the wrong way. They're corporate profits and myopic
sensibilities don't serve our needs. As government officials please
remember who it is you're working for. I sincerely hope you can help
the citizens of our country on this vital issue.
Thanks for your attention.
