I've been over at cable/dsl forum, seeing a few concerns there and on this forum regarding d/l limits per month, speed, etc. Suggestions of boycotts, petitions and other actions by end users. Let's think about the history of the net and why we really don't have the input and effect we wish we did.
Developed by universities and government; after a while tech savy individuals saw a use for it and things began to grow. But what was happening was more users taking advantage of what was already available, not really growing. But as the business world took hold of the internet, greater potential was recognized and the result was an increased interest in the internet infrastructure. The consumer world went along for the ride. Capacity and reliability have continued to increase up to recently.
But industry reports suggest that a great deal of the fiber already laid hasn't been lit yet, as the business world hasn't yet demanded it. Unfortunately for all of us, the cable companies are not in a position to drive the internet to the next level of performance. Neither are the telcos. The only way there will be a concerted effort to require greater bandwidth availability is when the deep pockets of the commercial world say they need it.
Despite our wishes, low pings to a game server are not a reason to invest in new technology. Neither are faster MP3 d/l's. But if it becomes a financial necessity for the corporate world to have huge, instantaneous data transfer rates, then the growth will come.
It's called "return on investment", and it is the single biggest factor in determining wheter a purchase is made. Rather than looking to place blame locally on ISP's, let's recognize that they are end users like the rest of us; they just resell thier resource to us.
Can local investment improve our service? Without a doubt. But what will justify it? Unfortunately, only money, unfortunately, from us, because that's the market today.
So if anyone wants to get involved in a grassroots movement to benefit everyone, we need to let everyone that will listen know the benefits of the net. And not just consumers, although an increased customer base will mean more cash for the cow. It has to include every small realtor checking listings, insurance agent doing quotes, investors using online brokerages, machine shops doing payroll, local chanbers of commerce networking, etc.
When the demand pushes the existing supply, the next generation of performance will follow.
This rant went on a little longer than I anticipated. But I look forward to everyones' comments and suggestions.
We are the future. (quote lifted from unknown source)