Case Study : Global BroadBand Access

Discussion Points

1. Do some Internet research on national infrastructure initiatives that have contributed to expanded broadband infrastructure and access in
countries around the world. Identify several countries that have benefitted from national broadband infrastructure initiatives and briefly summarize the programs that they implemented.

2. Do some Internet research to on the current status of the National Broadband Plan and other government-backed broadband access expansion programs in the U.S. Briefly summarize the content of pending or recently passed legislation or executive initiatives to bring broadband Internet access to more U.S. citizens.

3. Do some Internet research on the "digital divide" within the U.S. Summarize which segments of the population are most at risk for being digital "have nots". Identify efforts being made to address the digital divide within the U.S.

4. Do some research related to identify the countries that have the lowest broadband and Internet access rates. What patterns can be observed across these countries? How can these low rates be explained.

5. Do some Internet research on the benefits associated with high broadband access connections? What do users like most about higher connection speeds and how does it improve their lives?