Dr. Lawrence Burgee - Towson University - US Lags Behind With Internet

A new study finds 14 countries have broadband connections that are faster and cheaper than ours.

Jessica Kartalija reports experts blame the government.

In some countries like South Korea, Internet connections are 15 times faster than here in the U.S. In fact, many Americans still rely on dial-up service, as opposed to broadband.

The Internet was born right here in the U.S., so why are other countries so much more technologically advanced than we are?

"We are very savvy, but we are not the savviest," said Dr. Larry Burgee.

Burgee teaches principles of e-business at Towson University.

He says countries whose government supports broadband access are thriving, while the U.S. lags behind.

"We have fallen behind, particularly when it comes to countries like Korea and Japan, because there really was not a government push here in the country. I'm not sure it's something we really want to do, but it's just how it is," said Burgee.

While the government's hands-off approach isn't working, a lack of interest in information technology isn't helping either.

"One of the things we see in academia is that the number of students getting into computer science and information technology is falling as a percentage of the U.S. population. Young people are being less interested in studying technology degrees," said Burgee.

Towson is the only university in Maryland offering a degree in e-business. But thanks to a lack of interest among American students, the university has had to bring in students from countries like China and India to support the program.

"One of the things I want to say to the young people is we need you to study information technology and electronic business. These are the waves we are moving into in the future," said Burgee.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Lawrence Burgee
• Larry Burgee
• Towson University
• Internet
• Web
• Technology
• lburgee
• E-Commerce
• E-Business

[JLE102191]

blame the govt?

blame geography

[jromer1]

Best Professor EVER!

[lyzawoods]

Thanks for posting this! You have saved me a lot of talking!!!