A new Los Angeles Times editorial looks at the ongoing efforts to increase broadband access and adoption across the United States:

“With the Internet becoming the backbone for the 21st century American economy, broadband is as vital to workers, students and families as a car or a bus pass. Yet despite widespread availability, only two-thirds of U.S. homes have broadband service. Seventeen million Californians had no broadband at home in early 2009, and 13 million had no Internet access at all. The gaps in access threaten the nation's competitiveness by restraining productivity growth. Large segments of the population -- particularly minorities, rural communities and the disabled -- are being left behind in the race to develop Information Age skills.”

Broadband for America couldn’t agree more that increasing adoption rates of high-speed Internet is critical to creating jobs and ensuring our nation stays at the forefront of an innovation-driven global economy.  As the FCC prepares the National Broadband Plan policy makers should focus on promoting digital literacy to maximize adoption.   

You can read the full editorial here.