Maine was recently ranked 49th among US states for “quality and availability of broadband internet access.” At least we’re ahead of Montana.

I thought this 20-page overview of the problem and 10 recommendations for addressing it (PDF) did a good job of cutting to the quick. It’s penned by the CEO of Biddeford-based GWI.

Take a look. A citizenry without sound, reliable, speedy web service will be less informed and less competitive than it needs to be. Every day, web access is less of a luxury and more of a need. I expect one day we may consider it a right. In any vision of success for Maine, ubiquitous, quality internet access must be at the center of it.