EDUCAUSE Proposes New Approach to Broadband Development

EDUCAUSE, the association whose mission is to advance higher education by promoting the intelligent use of information technology, today proposed bringing the federal government, state governments, and the private sector together as part of a new approach to making high-speed Internet services available across the country.

The group, whose membership includes information technology officials from more than 2,200 colleges, universities, and other educational organizations, said that a new "universal broadband fund" would be necessary so that "Big Broadband" — services of 100 mbps — could be made widely available.

Because of the high costs of making certain that advanced services can be widely deployed, EDUCAUSE suggested that the approximately $100 billion cost for deploying broadband be shared. For example, the Federal government, state governments, and private industry could each contribute one-third of the cost. That way, for example, the Federal government would be responsible for $8 billion per year for four years. The money would be distributed through a new Universal Broadband Fund, which would be administered separately from existing Federal telephone-support mechanisms.

The new fund would be part of EDUCAUSE's eight-point Blueprint for Big Broadband Connectivity. The other elements are: (1) leadership, vision, and goals providing overall policy direction; (2) new organizations to make certain the program runs properly; (3) tax incentives for investment; (4) an open and nondiscriminatory network that network operators can't impede or degrade lawful services or applications; (5) state and local government construction of their own networks; (6) enhanced consumer education about broadband services; and (7) increased resources for broadband research.

EDUCAUSE Vice President Mark Luker said the report is a positive contribution to current debates over broadband funding. "By bringing together the federal government, state governments, and the private sector, EDUCAUSE is proposing a solution to take the burden from any one part of the economy while making certain that benefits of a new advanced network will be available to all."

The entire report, "A Blueprint for Big Broadband," is available online at http://www.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/EPO0801.pdf. The report also contains a detailed analysis of broadband deployment in the United States and in key countries around the world.

About EDUCAUSE

EDUCAUSE is a nonprofit association whose mission is to advance higher education by promoting the intelligent use of information technology. The current membership comprises more than 2,200 colleges, universities, and educational organizations, including 250 corporations, with 17,000 active members. Learn more about EDUCAUSE at www.educause.edu.