INTERNET: The need for speed

Thank you for your article in Thursday’s paper regarding TDS Metrocom coming to our area. I welcome the competition for Spectrum, and the potential to have higher speed internet extended to our home. I fully agree with DeAnne Boegli that our children need higher speed internet for school research; not having this ability hampers them from achieving their goals.

And let’s not forget the home-based worker. I telecommuted for years, and when my son visits us he telecommutes for his company. Telecommuters have to be able to work quickly to be efficient, and the inability to do so because our internet speed is slow is detrimental to work product and customers. More and more companies are allowing for telecommuters, and it is vital that high speed internet is available for them to work from home.

While Spectrum offers 100 MBPS to current customers as their “least expensive option,” they advised us two years ago that in our neighborhood (Lake Forest West) the city only allows for 30 MBPS to each home.

Mr. Gookin and others on the city council: The need is here in Coeur d’Alene NOW for expanded internet speed accessibility and competition. The city needs to ensure the accessibility to ALL its residents, especially if we’re having to pay for it to keep our monthly bills within reason.

VICKY DURANT

Coeur d’Alene