---
title: "Confronting Broadband Reality"
summary: |-
  There is a great disparity between the traditional broadband narrative and the American broadband reality.
date: "2013-05-20"
issues: ["Broadband Access and Regulation"]
authors: ["Richard Bennett"]
content_type: "Op-Eds & Contributed Articles"
canonical_url: "https://itif.org/publications/2013/05/20/confronting-broadband-reality/"
---

# Confronting Broadband Reality

We've all heard the story: America's broadband networks are second rate. We pay exorbitant prices for shoddy service because broadband providers print money and hold innovation in a death grip. While America languishes, our competitors in Europe and Asia are racing ahead to a user-generated content utopia. The only way forward is a government takeover, or failing that, a massive dose of regulation.

The only problem with this story is that it's almost completely untrue.

---
*Source: Information Technology & Innovation Foundation (ITIF)*
*URL: https://itif.org/publications/2013/05/20/confronting-broadband-reality/*