America’s Broadband Dream is Alive in Korea

According to a vision of Internet technology, one would be able to watch television programs, attend training workshops, sing karaoke, shop, and play interactive games – all of it online. Although Internet has changed patterns of consumption and sociality in the US, it has not yet realized its full potential. But that is not to say it has not happened anywhere. South Korea is a remarkable success story for the Broadband and information technology sector. As South Korea was recovering from the financial crisis of the mid-1990s, the Government invested heavily in building a nationwide fiber network, and providing Broadband services at affordable rates. In South Korea, Broadbandis not only transforming the economy but also re-shaping people’s private and professional lives. The US now follows South Korea, Canada and Japan in providing access to Broadband technology. The American suburban landscape, the high cost to end users and limited government incentives for making such technology available at a mass scale are some of the factors why Broadband has not fully taken off in the US. – YaleGlobal