EDUCAUSE Submits National Broadband Plan Comments to FCC

Created by Anna Gould (EDUCAUSE) on June 9, 2009

Yesterday, EDUCAUSE joined Internet2 and ACUTA in submitting comments on the development of a national broadband plan. In April, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced that it was beginning the process of developing a plan that would “ensure that every American has access to broadband capability.” In taking the first steps towards that goal, the commission sought feedback from a variety of stakeholders, including consumers, industry, government, and non-profits. Comments were due on Monday.

EDUCAUSE, Internet2, and ACUTA’s joint comments concentrated on five areas: 1) goals and benchmarks, 2) the middle mile and the last mile, 3) proposed solutions, 4) evaluation, and 5) other policy goals. Offering their members’ expertise as a resource for the FCC, the three groups said they were “concerned about the inadequate level of broadband connectivity” and its impact on higher education. They wrote that it is essential that campuses have access to “the highest broadband speeds available” in order to promote research and development in the United States.

“We believe the plan must be bold, must look to the future needs of our country, and must be benchmarked against the progress other countries are making,” the coalition wrote. “[We] have a deep and wide-ranging interest in the nation’s broadband capabilities. The future of our country and its competitiveness depend on the quality and reach of our higher education.”

For a look at the complete comments, please click here.

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		EDUCAUSE Submits National Broadband Plan Comments to FCC Created by Anna Gould (EDUCAUSE) on June 9, 2009 Yesterday, EDUCAUSE joined Internet2 and ACUTA in submitting comments on the development of a national broadband plan. In April, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced that it was beginning the process of developing a plan that would “ensure that every American has access to broadband capability.” In taking the first steps towards that goal, the commission sought feedback from a variety of stakeholders, including consumers, industry, government, and non-profits. Comments were due on Monday. EDUCAUSE, Internet2, and ACUTA’s joint comments concentrated on five areas: 1) goals and benchmarks, 2) the middle mile and the last mile, 3) proposed solutions, 4) evaluation, and 5) other policy goals. Offering their members’ expertise as a resource for the FCC, the three groups said they were “concerned about the inadequate level of broadband connectivity” and its impact on higher education. They wrote that it is essential that campuses have access to “the highest broadband speeds available” in order to promote research and development in the United States. “We believe the plan must be bold, must look to the future needs of our country, and must be benchmarked against the progress other countries are making,” the coalition wrote. “[We] have a deep and wide-ranging interest in the nation’s broadband capabilities. The future of our country and its competitiveness depend on the quality and reach of our higher education.” For a look at the complete comments, please click here. Washington Update \| broadband \| FCC \| National Broadband Policy Anna's blog Login or register to post comments 130 reads
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