America needs Affordable Internet, says former Miami mayor Manny Diaz

According to some media reports, approximately 700 million people watched the World Cup finals held in South Africa just over a week ago. However, this number does not include the millions more who viewed the game online and with mobile phones, a trend that has grown enormously in just the past few years.

It is an incredible feat of human innovation that so many from the far corners of the globe can join together in celebrating ``the world's game.'' From Johannesburg to Miami, new technologies allow us to connect in ways never thought possible and provide us with new opportunities to interact with other countries and cultures.

Miami, like many major cities in the United States, has a large Latino influence, and while the gap is closing in our country the fact remains that communities of color continue to suffer from economic inequalities. According to a Pew Research survey more than 30 percent of Latino households do not yet have Internet.

This is why the need for affordable Internet in all American homes is so important. As mayor, I had the privilege to lead a program called Elevate Miami, which established public and private partnerships for affordable technology, including mobile and low-cost Internet access. This was a major effort that helped unite families and businesses across Miami. Today our entire country needs further investment from the private sector and smarter government policies that will help keep prices low so that more communities can be connected.

As a member of the Alliance for Digital Equality (ADE), I am constantly aware of the ways new technologies touch our lives for the better. ADE is an organization that recognizes the importance of access to information and the ability to lift up those in our society who have been disenfranchised. From watching sports to providing new educational opportunities, I see on a daily basis how the use of the Internet is revolutionizing our country.

Access to broadband technology can provide countless opportunities to underserved communities. Similar to soccer, the World Wide Web can be a positive outlet for kids that grow up in rough neighborhoods. Broadband technology can put college scholarships, online games and career tools at the fingertips of children across the country.

As the head of television operations for the World Cup, Niclas Ericson has said, ``We wanted to give access on as many platforms as possible to as many football fans as possible.'' Reports show that ratings in the United States increased 50 percent from the 2006 tournament, and thanks to our growing broadband infrastructure more people than ever are viewing online.

There is no question that broadband technology has grown exponentially over the years and has touched the lives of millions of Americans. Yet ADE knows that there is more to be done because many pockets of America still don't have access to high-speed Internet.

The private sector has done a tremendous job of enhancing access to affordable Internet. However, Washington special-interest groups have recently come into the picture and are trying to disrupt this progress. Many in Congress, both Democrats and Republicans, as well as those in the business industry are worried about a plan put forth by Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski. They fear that further regulations as outlined in the FCC plan would bring job loss, stall investment and raise prices for consumers. Unfortunately those most affected by these proposed regulations would be low-income communities that desperately need jobs and affordable Internet.

My hope is that all sides of the debate can come together and Congress will become more involved in reaching a common goal, great access to high-speed Internet for all Americans. Similar to the World Cup, America is contending in a competitive global economy and access to broadband technology is a key element to our future success.

Let's put the best team on the field and not slow it down with onerous regulations.

Manny Diaz is the former mayor of Miami.