Why US Broadband Is So Slow

As providers focus on big markets, locals take net into own hands

(NEWSER) - Around the world, firms and governments are ramping up the speed and availability of internet access. But in the US, telecoms are focusing mainly on big-city markets. To avoid professional brain drain, some smaller cities and towns are investing in more powerful infrastructure, the Wall Street Journal reports. But the risks, and burdens, are great, and some private providers are resisting new competition. More»

All Finns are now guaranteed a connection

(NEWSER) - Sure, here in the US we have life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. But the Finnish government is tossing in the right to speedy Internet access, reports the AFP . Today Finland became the first country in the world to guarantee the availability of a broadband connection for every citizen. "The universal service obligation concerning Internet access of one Megabit per second (Mbit/s) has entered into force," says a government official. More»

Research links web use to well-being, especially in women

(NEWSER) - Turns out the hours you spend online might be helping, not hurting , you. Research from Britain's Chartered Institute of IT finds a link between internet use and well-being. "Put simply, people with IT access are more satisfied with life," one researcher tells Time . "IT has an enabling and empowering role in people's lives, by increasing their sense of freedom and control." More»

Town hopes to win fiber optics experiment with 'Lucky' campaign

(NEWSER) - Topeka, Kansas, isn’t the only midsize city sucking up to Google in hopes of hosting its high-speed fiber optic broadband experiment. Greenville, South Carolina, is giving Topeka a run for its money with its “We’re Feeling Lucky” campaign, a play on Google’s “I’m Feeling Lucky” button. The city’s set up a YouTube channel, a Twitter hashtag, and a petition so residents can show their enthusiasm for the idea. More»

If nothing else, it could ramp up pressure on big ISP's

(NEWSER) - Google's plan to test ultra-fast Internet speeds via fiber optic networks is going over well with tech bloggers:

• Mark Sullivan, PC World : "Google hopes that the new model will fire up the business of being a small, local ISP. That can only be good. ... Google has a rare opportunity to put real pressure on large ISPs like AT&T and Comcast to sell more bandwidth for less money."
• Dan Frommer, Silicon Alley Insider : Cool strategy: "Google makes noise about getting into the telecom business, telcos freak out and spend more money, fast networks get built either way, and Google wins."