US Falls to 24th Place For Broadband Penetration

I see a lot of excuses about why we are falling behind or being caught up to. I see arguments about our large land mass and low population density for example. All that is very true, but it doesn't change the reality that over time other countries will enjoy the benefit of a highly networked citizenry. It is also harder for us to lay roads, power lines, rails, and so forth for the same reasons, but we did it. If you are lacking critical infrastructure then you will become less capable and competitive.

In other words, just because our large land mass and low population density gives us a valid reason for other countries beginning to catch up to us or passing us in per-capita broadband usage, it won't save us from the effects of not being highly connected. America cannot afford to become a telecommunications backwater.