... Build broadband

The Internet is an important conduit to commerce and innovation, a medium that has wildly exciting communication potential. Yet, the United States' paltry broadband network lags behind most of the industrialized world.

Our weak Internet infrastructure not only puts the nation at a competitive economic disadvantage, it threatens democracy. Japan and South Korea have cheaper Internet service that is many times faster than that in the U.S. To get an idea of how far behind Japan we are, think of our network as a Soviet-era grocery store and Japan's as Whole Foods.

At least a dozen countries have zipped by America because of smart government regulations that encouraged the build-out of networks and promoted competition. It is time Congress and the Federal Communications Commission did the same.

A national discussion about what we want, and need, for the Internet of the future is part of the solution.

Should it be treated like the airwaves, which belong to the public? Can network providers like AT&T be forced to allow broadband startups onto their lines? Could a system modeled after public utility districts help broadband reach areas that are not attractive to network providers?

So far, the discussion has been defined by lobbyists for the telecom and cable companies, which have spent many millions of dollars opposing network neutrality and any legislation that would force competition. How much will their networks be worth if all the brightest minds migrate to where their talents can contribute to society and be monetized?

Americans should be worried about the current level of service. This is a serious problem that goes beyond the annoyance of slow-loading Web pages. Many rural and poor areas still use painfully slow dial-up Internet connections and will not get broadband anytime soon. Those with no access, or prohibitive access, will be silenced as more communication, services and news media jump to the Internet.

Not only does the U.S. risk falling behind its partners and competitors, a large swath of American voices will disappear if broadband is left to network providers. That's a great loss for a democracy.