Many of us take for granted our high-speed Internet access, zipping from Web site to Web site in a matter of seconds, downloading files, watching streaming video and listening to music – often at the same time without so much as a blip. Yet a large segment of the population doesn’t have that kind of broadband Internet access – and the reality is many don’t want it.

Because Spirit Telecom is based in South Carolina and provides service across the state, we’ll use the Palmetto State as an example. Some facts to consider from the  S.C. Telecommunications Association: South Carolina ranks fifth in available wireless broadband connections. And, when combined with wireline connections from telephone and cable, broadband connections are available to 98 percent of South Carolina households.

About 60 percent of state residents own a computer and access the Internet. Likely the biggest reason that number isn’t closer to 100 percent doesn’t have as much to do with broadband access as it does with education.

A national push is under way to expand broadband access to all Americans, thereby fostering economic development and bolstering the United States’ technological prowess. According to a report from the New America Foundation, the United States has fallen from first place to somewhere between 15^th and 21^st in the world in terms of broadband access, adoption, speeds and prices.

Most recently in South Carolina, the governor has appointed a five-person committee to review broadband grant applications from public and private groups vying for a $7.2 billion national pot of money available under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Expanding broadband access to citizens across the country is certainly an important goal, but it’s equally important to remember the saying that “You can lead a horse to water but you can’t make it drink.” We can’t force people to buy computers and access the Internet. We have to go beyond the numbers and statistics and really look at why people – particularly the people who do have access to broadband  – don’t want it.

Post a comment and let us know what you think about expanding broadband accessibility.