EDUCAUSE | National Broadband Policy

Measuring Broadband Access: Congress Passes Legislation Requiring Broadband Surveys

agould — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 15:21:25 -0500

Before you can fix the problem, you must diagnose it.

On Tuesday, September 30, Congress passed the final version of S. 1492, the Broadband Data Improvement Act. It is expected that President Bush will sign the bill into law. The legislation requires the government to keep track of who has quick access to the Internet in the United States. Specifically, it requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to collect consumer surveys on broadband access in rural, urban, and suburban locations. Furthermore, the surveys would also cover small and large business markets.

The FCC will use the surveys to draw up a list of those locations that lack broadband service. They will include population and income level statistics with that information as well.

The lead sponsor of S. 1492, Sen. Daniel Inouye, is a supporter of greater access to broadband. He says you must measure the problem before you can manage it. Ostensibly, this bill takes the first step in completing the senator's mission.

EDUCAUSE Signs Letter Urging Congress to Support Pro-Broadband Legislation

cluckett — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 11:07:41 -0500

In a letter delivered this week, EDUCAUSE and several other groups have asked that Congress pass the Broadband Data Improvement Act and the Broadband Census of America Act before the 110th Congress ends. The groups say this legislation "would improve information-gathering about current broadband deployment and assist in targeting resources to areas in need of such services." Learn more, and access a related press release regarding EDUCAUSE’s proposed new approach to making high-speed Internet services available across the country.

EDUCAUSE Signs Letter Urging Congress to Support Pro-Broadband Legislation

agould — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 12:27:43 -0500

In a letter that was delivered yesterday, EDUCAUSE and several other groups have asked that Congress pass S. 1492, the Broadband Data Improvement Act, and H.R. 3919, the Broadband Census of America Act, before the 110th Congress ends. The groups say this legislation "would improve information-gathering about current broadband deployment and assist in targeting resources to areas in need of such services." The letter was sent to leadership offices in the House and Senate, as well as members of both the House Energy and Commerce and Senate Commerce Committees. The letter specifically says that a national broadband policy could have "dramatic and far-reaching economic impacts."

Currently, S. 1492 and H.R. 3919 are awaiting consideration in the Senate. H.R. 3919 previously passed the House on November 13, 2007.

Groups supporting the letter include: the United States Telecom Assocation, the National Cable and Telecommunications Association, Communications Workers of America, Connected Nation, The National Grange, American Library Association, U.S. Cattlemen's Association, Alliance for Public Technology, Internet Innovation Alliance, AT&T, Qwest, and Verizon.

EDUCAUSE President Diana G. Oblinger Discusses Need for National Broadband Policy

cluckett — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 16:47:37 -0500

EDUCAUSE President Diana G. Oblinger recently spoke in Washington, D.C., at the New America Foundation–hosted event, Broadband Revolution, about the pressing need for a national broadband policy. Read more about the event and Oblinger’s speech, and access a related press release regarding EDUCAUSE’s proposed new approach to making high-speed Internet services available across the country.

EDUCAUSE Joins Coalition Supporting Access to an Open Internet

agould — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 15:40:15 -0500

In efforts to support a "fast, affordable and open" Internet, EDUCAUSE recently joined forces in creating and promoting InternetforEveryone.org. This coalition, which consists of public interest organizations, industry groups, and concerned citizens, is devoted to the notion that citizens should have access to an open Internet. The official launch date for the campaign was June 24.

With statistics showing that the United States has fallen to 15th in terms of broadband penetration (down from its 4th place ranking in 2001), members say there is a pressing need for a national broadband policy. Specifically, the coalition at InternetforEveryone.org says "every American must be connected to a fast, affordable and open Internet to serve as an active citzen in a 21st century democracy and to prosper in today's economy. High-speed Internet is no longer a luxury; it's a lifeline for all Americans. Our broad alliance is working together to see that our nation's leaders adopt a national plan to bring open, high-speed Internet connections into every home, at a price all of us can afford."

The group stands for four basic principles: ACCESS (for every home and business), CHOICE (competitive choice with lower prices and faster speeds), OPENNESS (Right to freedom of speech and commerce online in an open market without gatekeepers or discrimination), and INNOVATION (Internet must continue to create jobs and foster economic growth). By coming together as one, the group is hopeful that it will be even more effective in promoting broadband policies when it brings the initiative to federal, state, and local representatives.

The diverse coalition includes Google, YouTube, Internet2, eBay, the ACLU, BitTorrent, Public Knowledge, and the Writers Guild of America (East and West branches), among others. Additionally, individual members include Larry Lessig and Barbara van Schewick at Stanford Law School, Yochai Benker at Harvard Law School, Jack Balkin at Yale Law School, and Jonathan Zittrain at the Harvard Berkman Center for Internet and Society.

U.S. Conference of Mayors Adopts Resolution Calling for National Broadband Policy

agould — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 13:12:25 -0500

The U.S. Conference of Mayors, which is holding its 76th annual meeting in Miami, voted yesterday in favor of a resolution calling for a national broadband policy. The resolution is as follows:

Resolution #104: "Calling for Federal Action on a National Broadband Policy calls on the Administration, Congress and the FCC to develop a comprehensive national broadband policy that includes high speed broadband deployment to cities as an imperative; that preserves the ability of local governments to provide broadband capability and services within their communities, that the speed of Internet access available to American consumers, enterprises and institutions is comparable to that available in the most advanced industrialized nations, that high'speed Internet services are ubiquitous in availability to all American households in all neighborhoods, and that affordable high-speed Internet access is attainable for all American consumers and families; urges the FCC to begin immediately collecting detailed information on broadband coverage and use and share said data with local governments and urges the Administration, Congress; and calls on the FCC to work with local governments to facilitate an expansion of resources to speed the development of affordable globally-competitive infrastructure in American citiesand urges the Administration, Congress; and calls on the FCC to work with local governments to facilitate an expansion of resources to speed the development of affordable globally-competitive infrastructure in American cities."

Oblinger Discusses Need for National Broadband Policy

agould — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 15:31:32 -0500

Today EDUCAUSE President Diana Oblinger spoke about the pressing need for a national broadband policy at an event hosted by the New America Foundation (NAF). Held in the Senate Hart Building in Washington, DC, the event also featured FCC commissioners Michael Copps and Jonathan Adelstein, e-NC Authority Executive Director Jane Smith Patterson, Jim Baller of the Baller Herbst Law Group, and Michael Calabrese, the Vice President of the Wireless Future Program at the NAF. This event, which was titled Broadband Revolution, was the first in a series on national broadband policy being sponsored by NAF.

"In the same way that railroads, highways, electricity and telephones grew our economy and benefited our society, broadband is the infrastructure that will take us into the next century," said Oblinger. "We can either sit on the sidelines or we can get it done, and I think it is about time."

She told the audience that a public-private partnership is needed, since relying on the private sector alone will not be sufficient. Furthermore, Oblinger focused on the strong link between education attainment and economic opportunity, saying the two go hand in hand. With only seven percent of a child's time being spent in formal education, she said it is vital that students have access to decent broadband for learning experiences outside of the classroom. Oblinger also said broadband (or lack thereof) will have an impact on where people move, thus effecting local economies and tax bases.

FCC Commissioner Michael Copps said there should be a sense of urgency when it comes to developing a national broadband policy. He said "the time has come to fix this problem, which is holding the country back."

"Revolutions have winners and they have losers. We need to be the winners," Copps said in his talk.

The commissioner said broadband policy changes demand leadership and commitment "at the top," especially because developing broadband could cost tens of billions of dollars. In the meantime, Copps told the audience that he believes the FCC should guarantee the openness of the Internet and learn about individual states' innovation efforts.

All speakers agreed that it is unacceptable for the United States to increasingly lag behind in broadband capacity, since it threatens the country's global competitiveness and economic prosperity. As NAF Vice President Michael Calabrese said, broadband is no longer a luxury.

A Blueprint for Big Broadband: Moving from Why to How

drupal — Wed, 21 May 2008 12:55:17 -0500

The United States has fallen behind its international competitors in broadband deployment, price, and openness in part because it has no national broadband policy. In contrast, most other countries adopted proactive programs to address the broadband needs of their citizens at the beginning of the decade that are now proving successful. Several U.S. states are now developing their own broadband plans because of the void at the national level. This session will propose an action plan for the nation based on the lessons learned from Europe, Asia, and some U.S. states and discuss what it will take to get such a plan through Congress.

Podcast: A Blueprint for Big Broadband: Moving from Why to How

gbayne — Tue, 20 May 2008 16:19:27 -0500

This podcast features a speech by John Windhausen Jr., President of Telepoly. The speech, "A Blueprint for Big Broadband: Moving from Why to How," was recorded at the EDUCAUSE 2008 Policy Conference in Arlington, Virginia. You can also read John Windhausen Jr.'s EDUCAUSE white paper, A Blueprint for Big Broadband.

The United States has fallen behind its international competitors in broadband deployment, price, and openness in part because it has no national broadband policy. In contrast, most other countries adopted proactive programs to address the broadband needs of their citizens at the beginning of the decade that are now proving successful. Several U.S. states are now developing their own broadband plans because of the void at the national level. This session proposes an action plan for the nation based on the lessons learned from Europe, Asia, and some U.S. states and discusses what it will take to get such a plan through Congress.

EDUCAUSE Now - Show #3 - Current Issues Survey, Big Broadband Policy

gbayne — Fri, 09 May 2008 10:27:45 -0500

EDUCAUSE Now is a monthly podcast focusing on the intelligent use of information technology in higher education. Each episode features a variety of stories, interviews, and views that relate to IT in higher education.

This episode of EDUCAUSE Now features:

The EDUCAUSE 2008 Current Issues Survey
We hear from Current Issues Committee Chair Debra Allison and EDUCAUSE staff liasion Peter DeBlois. The Current Issues Survey resource page is now available.
A Commentary from EDUCAUSE President Diana Oblinger
EDUCAUSE President Diana Oblinger talks about current issues facing higher education and how IT can be a solution, even for non-technical challenges.
A Look at Big Broadband Policy in America
John Windhausen Jr. speaks to EDUCAUSE Now about his white paper, "A Blueprint for Big Broadband".
Music for EDUCAUSE Now:
- "Groove IT" by Denis Kitchen
- "Symmetry and the Pocket of Angels" by Josh Woodward
- "Anapop" by Sebastian6