WASHINGTON: The Federal Communications Commission embarked on a charge to develop a nationwide broadband plan this week. The initiative was mandated by Congress in February via the $787 billion economic stimulus package. By law, the FCC has to come up with a broadband plan by next February.
The commission’s 59-page Notice of Inquiry on the topic seeks proposals for the most effective and efficient way to disseminate broadband access across the country. The NOI asks for specific feedback on making it affordable, the use of grants, and how to promote the use of broadband for the public interest.
Interim FCC chief Michael Copps said the directive to develop nationwide broadband is the heaviest lifting asked of the commission yet. He said it could be a “great enabler” to a country in dire economic straits.
“This commission has never, I believe, received a more serious charge than the one to spearhead development of a national broadband plan,” he wrote in his statement. “Congress has made it crystal clear that it expects the best thinking and recommendations we can put together by next February. If we do our job well, this will be the most formative--indeed transformative--proceeding ever in the commission’s history.”
The NOI encourages input from citizens, industry, businesses of all sizes, nonprofits, all levels of government and anyone who cares.
Initial comments are due on the item, Docket No. 09-51, by June 8. Reply comments are due July 7. – Deborah D. McAdams
