Don't Wait for Federal Government to "Do Something" About Broadband, Gig.U Says

Blair Levin, executive director of the University Community Next Generation Innovation Project (Gig.U) believes the key to U.S, efforts to dramatically boost broadband speeds is not to rely on federal leadership but instead emphasize local leadership.

Working in partnership with companies willing to invest ahead of the current market is the way to make huge leaps, Levin argues. The point is that investment is needed. 

In many cases, the suggestion is that partnerships might try and leverage existing optical fiber networks already in place on the backbone level, in some form of public-private partnership, something that European broadband advocates also support. 

 That always is helpful, but broadband still hinges on access cost and clear-headed assessment of risk and reward.