A fortnight ago we yet again addressed the truism:
Bad ideas never die – because there will always be government programs.
Britain’s Labour Party Says They’ll Have Government Seize Private Broadband Networks:
“Behold – from the Olde Country:
“‘Britain’s opposition Labour Party plans to nationalise BT’s broadband network to provide free internet for all if it wins power, making a radical election pledge to roll back 35 years of private ownership that caught both the company and its shareholders by surprise….
“‘Labour plans to nationalise Openreach – the fixed-line network arm of the country’s biggest broadband and mobile phone provider – as well as parts of BT Technology, BT Enterprise and BT Consumer to create a ‘British Broadband’ public service.
“‘“A Labour government will make broadband free for everybody,” Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said in a speech. “This is core infrastructure for the 21st century. I think it’s too important to be left to the corporations.”’”
“Too important to be left to corporations” – ???
As indicated, corporations on both sides of The Pond have been in charge of Internet Research and Development (R & D) and delivery – for the last three-plus decades.
During which time – it has become a free speech-free market Xanadu.
During which time – we went from 14k dial-up speeds…to over 1GB wired and wireless speeds.
During which time – the Internet went from “What’s that?”…to 1/6th of the entire $18+ trillion US economy.
To wit – from 2016:
Cyber Monday Loses Digital Crown to Black Friday
“According to Salesforce Commerce Cloud data, this year, Black Friday surpassed Cyber Monday as the year’s biggest digital shopping day.”
Which means brick-and-mortar Friday – has become even more cyber than Cyber Monday.
Think we could have gotten here – were the government in charge of the Internet?
If you do – you’re completely delusional.
Broadband Boondoggles: A Map of Failed Taxpayer-Funded Networks:
“For decades, local governments have made promises of faster and cheaper broadband networks. Unfortunately, these municipal networks often don’t deliver or fail, leaving taxpayers to foot the bill. Explore the map to learn about the massive debt, waste and broken promises left behind by these failed government networks.”
And as Bachman-Turner Overdrive said – you ain’t seen nothing yet.
Behold – the next huge thing in private sector wireless Internet:
“Faster data and reduced latency. These are the things we know to expect when 5G wireless technology starts rolling out over the first half of the next decade….
“5G uses millimeter waves, which typically have higher channel bandwidths, and so can carry a lot more data bits. And by using special antenna arrays—with a relatively small profile—we now have the ability to dynamically focus bandwidth, or “beamform,” on specific users, creating “beams” about the thickness of a pencil. This capability alone is a game changer….
“On 4G, usable bandwidth is capped at 10,000 devices per square kilometer. With 5G, the capacity is much higher. What will this expanded connectivity mean for businesses?
“This will transform how wireless is done indoors, where most business—from manufacturing to retail—takes place. Indoor cell coverage can be very spotty. We’re going to really improve upon that by integrating Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi 6, indoor cell, and adding beamforming 5G access points. And by managing the spectrum—and the greatly increased density—with much greater efficiency and cost savings, we get better coverage and capacity indoors.”
We were told by government “experts” – that these millimeter waves were unusable.
Until private sector, actual experts – made them useable. Revolutionarily so.
Qualcomm Makes Millimeter Wave a Reality for First-Gen 5G Phones
Which means….
5G Wireless Makes Government Broadband Even Dumber and More Dishonest Policy:
“The alleged reason for governments pretending to be the private sector – is a lack of ubiquitous Internet connection.
“Rural areas are obviously tougher – and a lot more expensive – to reach with…everything. Including tech. And the US – is a very large place….
“If you have a 4G wireless smartphone – you are by any reasonable definition connected to the Internet.
“And that is…just about everyone.
“And the 5G wireless network – is going to blow the doors off of even the existing, massive private sector success.
“And thereby blow an even larger hole in the Left’s demands for government Internet.
“How 5G Will Solve Rural Broadband….”
And behold – the next huge thing in private sector wired Internet:
Introducing 10G (10 Gigabit): The Next Great Leap for Broadband:
“Global cable industry plans massive advancement in network capacity and speed with platform that will keep ahead of consumer demand and innovation curve….
“The foundation of 10G is already proven with cable networks offering 1 gigabit service today across 80 percent of the U.S., up from just five percent in 2016. Similar gigabit services are available by cable operators across the world. Ultimately, 10G will deliver symmetrical speeds that are up to 10 times faster than today’s fastest networks….
“10G’s promise of faster speeds, more capacity, lower latency and greater security will enable and help fully realize a wide variety of new services and applications that will change the way millions of consumers, educators, businesses and innovators interact with the world.”
To re-contrast:
A reminder of government’s failing, flailing attempts at delivering Internet tech – the private sector had already long ago delivered:
“Over time, more than 200 municipal networks have sprung up in communities across the United States, sold with promises of faster speeds, an improved quality of life, a boon for local economies, and job growth….
“(T)hese government-owned and taxpayer-funded networks leave budgets in the red due to underestimated buildout costs, subscriber rates falling far short of projections, and issued bonds straining local budgets for years to come.”
In short:
If you want new and functional – you want a private sector Internet.
If you want old and dysfunctional – you want a government Internet.
I choose “A.”
You?
This first appeared in Red State.