Verizon announced a new, zippy broadband plan for all markets through its FiOS fiber optic service. Customers will be able to download at 50mbps and upload at 20mbps. Additionally, Verizon is making its mid- and low-tier services speedier. The company expects a 100mbps home service “faster than anybody thinks.”

To ensure that the fast internet service of the future becomes a reality - a necessity for the continuing development of the web - the government should keep its hands off the internet and resist calls for net neutrality legislation. The market needs the flexibility to try different network management arrangements in order to incentivize companies like Verizon to invest in upgrading their last-mile pipes to next-generation technologies. Of course, increasing competition by ending local franchising would also be a big help.