Internet industry groups says rural Americans don’t want broadband

When your only broadband option is expensive, slow, latency ridden, flaky satellite, most do opt out. It’s not relevant to the rural broadband discussion unless you want to hide the truth about poor rural access availability.

Here’s the sort of a quote that will earn you a lifetime of being identified as a empty suit:

David McClure, the CEO and president of the United States Internet Industry Association (USIIA), has penned a news report which claims that the digital divide in the United States is not caused by a lack of broadband availability but rather by slow broadband adoption. He goes so far as to say:

“As of 2008, virtually every U.S. household and business has access to broadband, and even in many rural areas has a choice of broadband technologies - fiber, wireless, cellular, cable DSL or satellite. While there is still work to be done to upgrade and enhance these choices, broadband deployment is active, vibrant and successful.” (Broadband Reports)

We are proud to present our coveted Ted Stevens special edition Foil Hat Award to David McClure.