FCC Launches Development of National Broadband Plan

The Federal Communications Commission today begins the process of developing a national broadband plan that will seek to ensure that every American has access to broadband capability.

 

In the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 – known as the stimulus package – Congress charged the Commission with creating a national broadband plan. In a Notice of Inquiry adopted today, the Commission begins a proceeding to create that national broadband plan, seeking input from all stakeholders: consumers, industry, large and small businesses, non-profits, the disabilities community, governments at the federal, state, local and tribal levels, and all other interested parties.

 

The Commission must deliver the plan to Congress by Feb. 17, 2010. It will provide a roadmap toward achieving the goal of ensuring that all Americans reap the benefits of broadband. The Recovery Act requires the plan to explore several key elements of broadband deployment and use, and the Commission now seeks comment on these elements, including:

 

• The most effective and efficient ways to ensure broadband access for all Americans

• Strategies for achieving affordability and maximum utilization of broadband infrastructure and services

• Evaluation of the status of broadband deployment, including the progress of related grant programs

• How to use broadband to advance consumer welfare, civic participation, public safety and homeland security, community development, health care delivery, energy independence and efficiency, education, worker training, private sector investment, entrepreneurial activity, job creation, and economic growth, and other national purposes.

 

FCC Seeks Comment on Relationship Between Broadband and Economic Opportunity (Comments are due December 4, 2009)

 

National Broadband Plan: A Midterm Report (September 29, 2009)

 

Useful Links

Broadband.gov

 

FCC National Broadband Plan Workshop: Opportunities for Small Business

Personal Democracy Forum (September 4, 2009)

 

Minority Media and Telecommunications Council Proposal for Broadband Field Hearings (June 7, 2009)

• MMTC's Comments on the FCC’s National Broadband Plan (June 7, 2009)

 

Report from the First Broadband Opportunity Summit (Februry 25, 2009)

Newseum, Washington, DC

 

Information Related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009

Source: Federal Communications Commission

 

Broadband Technology Opportunities Program Recovery Plan

Source: Recovery.gov

 

Schedule for Staff Workshops on the FCC's National Broadband Plan

• Diversity, Civil Rights and the National Broadband Plan

 

Publications

Home Broadband Adoption 2009

Pew Research Center's Internet & American Life Project (June 2009)

 

Telecommunications: Broadband Deployment Plan Should Include Performance Goals and Measures to Guide Federal Investment

Government Accountability Office (May 2009)

• Higlights

 

Resources

Alliance for Digital Equality

InternetforEveryone.org 

Minority Media and Telecommunications Council 

One Economy 

The Alliance for Community Media

 

News Stories

Up-and-Comers Who Are Breaking Down a Digital Divide

FCC broadband roadmap aims to bring order to stimulus chaos

Minority groups coalesce to focus on broadband

MMTC Proposes FCC Broadband Hearings to Help Develop Policy

Report: Broadband Adoption Efforts Must Eliminate "Access Barrier"

The Digital Divide

One Step Off the Superhighway