Verizon CEO Says America Has a Role in Next Era of Internet-Driven Growth

Arguing against the conventional wisdom that America lags in wireless and broadband, Ivan Seidenberg, Verizon's chairman and CEO, said that the country stacks up well in today's global market in terms of choice, usage and quality of broadband networks.

Seidenberg answered questions during a session today at the Council on Foreign Relations, and in an advance statement he observed that "the center of gravity when it comes to innovation has shifted decisively to the USA." He expressed optimism about America's capacity to lead the next era of global, Internet-driven economic growth and development.

Seidenberg said that "the smart phone revolution" is already centered in the U.S., and that America's communications companies are deploying "game-changing" fiber networks and LTE wireless networks that "will leapfrog the world in wireless." He added that the vast majority of Americans have access to two or more broadband networks, and that the U.S. already has higher broadband penetration and wireless data usage than Europe as a whole.

"These technologies are at the heart of American competitiveness and global economic progress," Seidenberg said.

He noted that LTE is "rapidly becoming a global standard," and it is a technology that "will certainly be the most economical way to drive broadband to underserved populations, both here and abroad."

The Internet of Things

"In a 4G world, wireless will connect everything," Seidenberg said. "There's really no limit to the number of connections that can be part of the mobile grid: vehicles, appliances, buildings, roads, medical monitors. This 'Internet of Things' will infuse intelligence into all our systems and present us with a whole new way to run a home, an enterprise, a community or an economy."

Seidenberg said he has "a profoundly optimistic vision of the benefits communications technology can deliver for the world."

The bravery and ingenuity displayed in using the Internet to outsmart and ultimately to open previously closed societies is a testament to the power of technology, and a larger testament to the power of values, Seidenberg said.

"It's because of the power of our values that I'm optimistic about America's capacity to lead the next era of Internet-driven growth," Seidenberg said. "I look forward to continuing to build the platforms and deliver the innovations that will create a competitive, growing America."