Dorgan Questions Differing Broadband Speeds
June 24, 2010
| 3:59 PM
Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., Thursday questioned three FCC members over why the commission has called for broadband speeds in rural areas well below the speed goals set for most other Americans.
During a Senate Commerce Committee hearing on expanding the Universal Service Fund to include support for broadband, Dorgan, a senior member of the panel, questioned FCC members Meredith Baker, Mignon Clyburn and Michael Copps over the recommendation included in the national broadband plan setting a goal of achieving broadband speeds of at least four megabits-per-second for rural areas, while setting a much higher goal of 100 megabits-per-second for 100 million Americans in other areas.
"Tell me, if I'm living in a rural area whether I think that's a fair approach," he asked. Dorgan and several other senators earlier this month wrote FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski questioning the two-tiered goals for broadband speeds.
Clyburn said the four-megabits speed was picked because it is the speed currently enjoyed by most U.S. broadband subscribers. Copps noted that the goal "is to get comparable service at comparable prices. Our focus is on getting broadband to folks at a level of other subscribers."
Baker added that the four-megabits goal for rural areas is just a recommendation and pledged to work with Congress on the issue.
Noting that many Alaskans still access the Internet at "dial-up" speeds, Sen. Mark Begich, D-Alaska, said "I'll be very anxious to get four megabits."
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