I’d like to follow up on a point from yesterday’s post where I mention that the US now has the ability to perhaps lead the charge into Web2.0 with fully integrated and customized content and services.

“Many imply (including Malik) that, like many other technology innovations (such cellular services), Europe and Asia will probably be at the forefront of this wave.”

As with cellular services of yesterday, our future success depends on government involvement today. Normally I’m not one to promote the idea of government officials tampering with technology, because they generally don’t have a clue what their talking about (i.e. Bush referring to such things as “The Google” and stating that he doesn’t “trust email”). But, let me give you an example of how this has helped in the past.

In the 90’s as cell phone services were coming into broader use around the world, the French government decided to do something interesting. It went around France and purchased all of the cellular companies, standardized them all on one technology and then released them back to the private sector. What did this do? Well, it ensured that all R&D from then on would be done on ONE technology.

As much as I love US capitalism, it is the primary reason why we can’t have mobile video conferencing features in the palm of our hand. Imagine what we could have done if Sprint, Verizon, AT&T and all of the other cell companies in the country were working on the same technology this whole time?!?

In the same fashion, I believe it’s time for the US government to take a stand and ensure that every single household and business in this country has broadband access to the Internet; and soon! Without this access our economy will continue to fall behind those of developing nations. As Michael J. Copps, a member of the Federal Communication Commission wrote in Wednesday’s Washington Post, “America’s record in expanding broadband communication is so poor that it should be viewed as an outrage by every consumer and businessperson in the country. Too few of us have broadband connections, and those who do pay too much for service that is too slow. It’s hurting our economy, and things are only going to get worse if we don’t do something about it.”

Amen, Mr. Copps. He goes on to state how this can be done in this great op-ed piece. First, the FCC has to redefine what it calls “broadband.” Our “broadband” is 20 times slower than the rest of the world and we’re paying 3 times as much for it. Hopefully, we can listen to him and do something about our world ranking of 15th in broadband penetration. 15th!!!