The assumptions used to define the baseline future for Communications "What happens if we do nothing differently than we're doing it now" are based on false and/or inaccurate assumptions. It's not clear to me how or where anyone in this country can experience what's being described except, perhaps, in the furthest, most outlying remote locations that likely have little to no infrastructure currently in place. There's been an plethora of exciting, ongoing, innovations in communications occurring over the past 30 years that have made dramatic imprrovements in the speed and way in which we communicate. Phone compnaies and cable companies continue to spend 10's of billions of dollars per year in infrastructure improvements. The statement "Some have adopted voice-over-IP phone service; but as with all Internet service, it's spotty at best and dominated by the cable and phone companies, which are constantly trying to find new ways to restrict access and raise rates" is full of incorrect imformation. Broadband Internet service is available to over 85% of all homes passes in the US, and this is growing. There is no attempt (by neither the cable companies nor the phone companies to "restrict" access. And, rates are increased (modestly) to fund additional network developments/expansions. There is, however, a need to manage the infrastructure in ways that ensure everyone has equal/fair access to the internet bandwidth. I'm sure you would agree that it would be ludicrous to allow one or two cars per 100 cars on a freeway to travel at 150 mph just because their car can. There a many paralles between the highway system and the internet - congestion control mechanisms, tollways, backed up on/off ramps, etc. Statments like "Small towns across America are stagnating economically", "Europe and Asia move ahead...America languishes.." is patently false, misleading and offensive.

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