FCC Broadband Goals Detailed
The FCC Thursday unveiled some of the proposed goals to be included in the national broadband plan the agency is developing. During a meeting, FCC staff unveiled the provisions under consideration for inclusion in the "national purposes" section of the plan, the FCC said in a news release.
"The working recommendations presented today are intended to integrate broadband into the country's priorities and deliver to consumers high-quality healthcare, world-class education, smarter energy tools, 21st century jobs, greater public safety, more opportunities for civic engagement, and a better quality of life," the FCC said. The plan is due to Congress by March 17.
Among the goals cited in the proposal is boosting employment and economic growth. To spur more small businesses to use broadband to increase productivity, the proposal calls for launching public-private partnerships to expand efforts to provide technology training to small and disadvantaged businesses. Noting that many healthcare providers lack access to or can't afford broadband service, the plan calls for "transforming the Rural Health Care Program to subsidize both ongoing costs and network deployment, while expanding the definition of eligible providers."
On improving education, the proposal calls for upgrading the E-rate program to improve the speeds of Internet access in elementary and secondary public schools. In addition, the proposal calls for removing regulatory barriers to online learning and increasing the supply of online learning systems and content. The plan also discusses how broadband can promote energy independence and efficiency. It calls for helping to save energy by integrating broadband "into the smart grid by promoting and improving commercial broadband networks, better coordinating and standardizing private utility networks, and enabling partnerships with public safety networks."
Other goals detailed in the proposal aim to increase public safety and homeland security, as well as enhance government performance and increase civic engagement.
"A next generation Internet supported by accessible, affordable broadband can transform education, health care, energy, government as well as enable job creation and economic growth," Cisco Chairman and CEO John Chambers said in a statement. "It is critical that our entire government work toward implementing a comprehensive national broadband plan to ensure U.S. competitiveness in the 21st century."
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