High Speed Broadband Service By New Cable Modem Technology Will Do The Trick - Really?

Does the vision of a nationwide high speed broadband infrastructure, enabling broadband for all, justify large public sector investments?

For example, the Communications Workers of America (An Economic Recovery Plan For American Families) and the Telecommunications Industry Association called for $25 billion in subsidies to network providers as well as tax breaks (TIA Recommends Specific Broadband Incentives for Economic Stimulus Plan). The Free Press, a group that advocates for media diversity, recommended spending $44 billion (Down Payment On Our Digital Future), with an emphasis on subsidizing companies to compete with existing cable and phone companies.

Some people think it is a waste of money. Those same people, read: gorillas and gorilla lovers, claim that new cable modem technology will provide internet service to 19 of the 20 homes in the near future, faster than any service around the world. Source: The New York Times

Oh, really? Do I hear 19th century British canal boat owners (or narrowboats) rethoric echoing in my ear, opposing the devilish trains and railways and favouring just more boats in the narrow canals to enable more and faster cargo transport spurring the local economy ... No, no. Listen, just more and stronger horses. That will do the trick ...