Final answer:
The statement is false; disparities in internet infrastructure still exist, affecting how businesses consider IT infrastructure. The net neutrality debate and the digital divide are central to considerations about internet service equality and the potential impact on businesses, particularly smaller firms and startups.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that U.S. companies no longer need to consider IT infrastructure as a site-specific factor because internet speeds are now all relatively the same is False. Despite the growth of internet technology, there remains significant disparity in internet infrastructure and speeds across different locations. Factors such as geographical challenges, local investment in infrastructure, and the ongoing debate around net neutrality play a crucial role.
Net neutrality is a principle that all internet data should be treated equally by internet service providers, and this is part of the current national conversation surrounding internet access and the digital divide. The threat to net neutrality, such as the creation of "fast" and "slow" lanes, may negatively impact smaller companies and startups, which may not have the resources to compete against larger corporations that can pay for faster internet service. This could drive them out of business, hence affecting competition and innovation.
Therefore, companies must consider the quality and speed of the local IT infrastructure since it can have significant impacts on their operations, especially for data-intensive activities. The possibility of an unequal internet, brought on by the end of net neutrality, could substantially influence how businesses strategize regarding their IT infrastructure needs.