Wednesday, December 17, 2008

The Goal: Provide nationwide access to high-speed Internet.

The Industries Want: Telecommunications lobbying groups have requested tax breaks and grants.

Pros: Wide range of jobs created, from digging ditches to designing networks.

Cons: Private efforts to provide free wireless access in cities and smaller municipalities, including Arlington, have failed after costs ballooned.

By the Numbers:

15th: The United States' ranking for broadband access out of 30 nations by the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation. (South Korea ranked first.)

6-8 million American homes without access

57 percent of American households have broadband access, according to the ITIF rankings