The U.S. Conference of Mayors and the Knight Center of Digital Excellence will host a Sunday discussion about how making investments in broadband technology can connect, enable, and transform communities. The event takes place in conjunction with the mayors' annual winter meeting in Washington. Panelists include USCM President Manny Diaz, mayor of Miami; Akron, Ohio Mayor Donald Plusquellic; Knight Foundation President Alberto Ibarguen and others.

At the organization's June meeting, members voted in favor of a resolution calling on the president, Congress and the FCC to develop a comprehensive national broadband strategy that includes high-speed deployment to cities as an imperative and preserves the ability of local governments to provide broadband capability and services within their communities. The resolution also urged the FCC to begin immediately collecting detailed information on broadband coverage and use and share said data with local governments.

The event precedes the inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama, who has spoken frequently about the need for America to lead the world in broadband penetration. "As a country, we have ensured that every American has access to telephone service and electricity, regardless of economic status, and Obama will do likewise for broadband," the transition team's Web site states. He believes that can be accomplished by overhauling the universal service fund; improving the use of U.S. wireless spectrum; promoting next-generation technologies; and tax and loan incentives.