As the Internet grows, so do the needs of the people who use it. Whether it is the popularity of video streaming, the growth of online education, or the desire of gamers to connect with competitors across the globe, consumer demands have evolved. These services and many more have proven to be a driving force behind the need for faster broadband, smarter networks, and wider access. The question then is: What are ISPs doing to keep up? According the latest Progressive Policy Institute report “U.S. Investment Heroes of 2014” issued earlier this week, what they’re doing is investing more capital into infrastructure improvements than any other industry in America. In 2013, the capital expenditure leader was energy production. This year, ISPs took top billing with a total $46 billion.
What did users get for all this cash? According to NTIA, ISPs have connected 99 percent of Americans to broadband speeds that were at least 10Mbps. They also delivered at least 100Mbps to two-thirds of Americans. An impressive feat especially when you consider that only 14 percent had access to 100Mbps in 2010. A number of cable companies have also announced gigabit broadband services, so it seems speed growth isn’t slowing anytime soon.
Perhaps the best news in these reports isn’t that we’re hitting super-speeds or that ISPs are investing massive amounts of cash into staying one step ahead of demand. It’s that more people have access to fast broadband. The Internet has incredible transformative powers, and working to get everyone connected should be applauded.