Adoption key theme @ Supernova

Day two at Supernova brought with it more robust conversations, particularly around the FCC’s National Broadband Plan. On a panel sponsored by Verizon and Comcast, Paul Brigner, Verizon, Joe Waz, Comcast, Nicol Turner-Lee, Joint Center, Chris Riley, Free Press, and Rachelle Chong, California PUC Commissioner all shared their perspectives on what the FCC should be focusing on as it crafts the plan due to the President and Congress early next year.

Verizon’s Brigner shared some interesting stats – one especially highlights the “adoption challenge” we have in the U.S. as it relates to broadband. Brigner referenced the 30 million households throughout the country who have access to high-speed Internet service, but who choose not to adopt. There was some debate on how much price has to do with it (note: according to the Pew Internet and American Life Project, only about 5% of Americans say they don’t have broadband due to its cost). But there is near consensus on the need to educate people on the many ways broadband enables a higher quality of life...