Should the U.S. pay for everyone to have Internet? Here’s the plan
March 16th, 2010, 8:40 am · 37 Comments · posted by Tamara Chuang, a.k.a. The Gadgetress
Since April 2009, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission has been working on a plan to provide every U.S. resident high-speed Internet access. Today, it ships the 376-page National Broadband Plan to Congress.
Through a series of blog posts (and comments), tweets on Twitter and other public feedback, the plan sought response from the American public. In fact, in the preface, the plan thanks contributors:
“This is America’s plan, written by and for Americans. It’s now time to act and invest in our nation’s future by bringing the power and promise of broadband to us all.”
But what is the plan? Here are some key points:
- 100 million Americans don’t have broadband at home. Nearly 200 million do.
- To make sure everyone does have affordable access, the government should consider offering broadband for free or at a very low cost.
- At minimum, every American should have Internet service of at least 4 Mbps download speeds and 1 Mbps up.
- By 2015, 100 million U.S. homes should have affordable access to actual download speeds of 50 Mbps and actual upload speeds of 20 Mbps.
- The government can use its power to:
- Design policies to ensure competition.
- Make sure the infrastructure is available, such as spectrum, poles and rights-of-ways. This would encourage network upgrades and competition.
- Reform current universal service mechanisms to support deployment of broadband and voice in high-cost areas.
- Reform laws, policies, standards and incentives to maximize the benefits of broadband in sectors government influences significantly, such as public education, health care and government operations.
- Speaking of spectrum, which is controlled by the government and doled out to wireless companies to use for Internet or other communication, the plan proposes freeing up 500 megahertz more for broadband use within 10 years. Currently, the FCC only has 50 mhz available in its inventory.
- Create a uniform label for consumers to understand the speed of broadband Internet. The FCC expample:
- Create the Connect America Fund to support broadband by shifting $15.5 billion from the existing Universal Service Fund, which currently provides low-cost telephone service throughout the U.S.
- Create a Mobility Fund to help out states that lag in 3G wireless coverage.
- Ultimately, a long-term goal is affordable access to Internet with download speeds of 100 mbps, upload speeds of 50 mbps. Schools, hospitals and other institutions should have access to 1 gigabit per second broadband speeds.
Sound expensive for taxpayers? The FCC believes freeing up new spectrum will be “revenue neutral, if not revenue positive.” Most of plan’s recommendations don’t require new government funding since it proposes streamlining processes and increasing government efficiency.
The report goes in depth about every point mentioned above, and more. It’s a good read for consumers who are interested in what’s next when it comes to Internet service from their own provider — be it Verizon Wireless and its 4G efforts with LTE or Time Warner Cable’s DOCSIS 3.0 rollout. There’s even a section about updating TV service by making over-the-air broadcasts more efficient (page 88).
I just skimmed the report but I’m sure readers out there will discover many more important details. If you do, please share. Thanks.
What are others saying about it?
- The mobile phone industry, represented by the CTIA organization, is “extremely pleased” especially with the proposed 500 mhz spectrum. Read statement.
- Verizon, which offers wireless and fiber-optic TV and Internet, supports it. Read statement.
- Google supports it but doesn’t want to rely on public policies. Read statement
- Sprint likes it, especially the pro-competitive recommendations. Read statement
- Dish Network seems to like the plan but only because it points out satellite broadband may be a more economical choice for those in rural areas. Read statement
- Time Warner Cable, which recently said Internet has overtaken cable TV as its core product, applauds the new plan. Read statement
Media coverage:
- “Why the FCC’s New Broadband Plan is Worth Covering” (Poynter)
- FCC Broadband Plan Comes Into Focus (Broadcasting & Cable)
- “FCC sets 10-year broadband plan,” mentions TV industry’s push back that industry could lose TV spectrum (Mediaweek)
- Discussion and updates over at BroadbandReports.com
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Here's a list of TV/mobile companies helping consumers one tweet at a time. 
That is a nice step in the correct direction.
We need someone to push the companies for better internet. DSL is an aging dinosaur that needs to be fixed. Between distance and other factors its speed is limited. Cable Companies have the means for this but do not want to invest into the hardware needed. Cable internet speeds can suck at night when everyone is on.
I am small business that was paying high rates for cox business and welcome this. This area of Newport Beach only had cox, no Att DSL and WIMAX at a minimum of $1000 a month.
Rates for Cox Business.
2M down / 384K up -$89
5M down / 1M up – $149
10M down / 2M up – $249
15M down / 3M up – $399
If you compare this to the Home Service the most expense is around $60 for 20m down and 2 m up. They tell you that business is more reliable etc but still the prices are still way to high. ATT only charges $60 for 6m DSL for businesses.
If you want to go to AT&T DSL, or better known as SBC Global, “GOOD LUCK”. I have witnessed more problems with AT&T DSL than any other carrier. I would rather use AOL dial up.
As for cox business being more expensive it is because you have the 24/7 tech support, less downtime, static IP address, and hosting options.
Terrific overview… Thank you. I think the overall plan is terrific and very consumer friendly. I give my full feedback at my blog.
http://www.cheaper-tv.com
No thanks, infrastructure investments are better left in the hands of private entities and not “no-bid” govt contracts. Most areas without DSL currently are rural remote areas where piping in higher bandwidth is not economically viable. Lobbyists clearly wrote this proposal to offset the cost of running dozens of miles of fiber optic lines to deserts and mountain tops to service a relative handful of paying customers.
I quote
“Most of plans recommendations don’t require new government funding”
Notice the key word here is “Most” which means not all. Therfore we will be taxed and it’s the same old story.
so something else the government is trying to get its hands on. More taxes coming our way courtesy of the great great government we have.
Next thing you know they will do like China and start restricting what you can and can not view.
If its anything like Odumba’s health care…it will probably be slow and rationed anyway.
It’s exactly like Odumbo’s health care plans. It’s a takeover with OUR own money to control the internet and what content we read on it. It’s like the ‘Fairness Doctrine’ scam on radio.
Think about it people…
If they provide it to you, then they own it. If they own it, then they control it. If they control it, then they will tax you for it.
Keep government out. Why give them more leverage to tax us more than they already do.
amen
face it people, we are slowly moving towards a communist regime. Our politicians want to control every aspect of our life, much like a communist regime does.
Don’t think so, just keep letting the government take control of more and more.
We know how well that worked for Russia
And China
Hey why don’t we just take it a step further and have cable for all? What about cell phones? Why not cell phones for all? Gimme a break.
Hey why don’t we just take it a step further and have cable for all? What about cell phones? Why not cell phones for all? Gimme a break.
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I hear ya Steph!
Taxpayers should NOT be footign the bill for this.
Why don’t we just have everyone stay home all day and goverment send us all checks. This is insane. The people who don’t have broadband don’t have compiuters. Are we giving those out next?
Why don’t we just have everyone stay home all day and goverment send us all checks
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Wont work- B/c gov employees HATE competition
Do not invite the wolf to your dinner table. Keep the nose of the camel out from under your tent flap….say it any way you want to but keep the government out of our lives. Make the feds stick to their responsibilities as designated by the U.S. Constitution. Dump the zillion social programs and government bureaucracies that are bankrupting the nation and get back to basics. Dan has it nailed. We are seeing more and more control. I thought we were the land of the “free”?
HELL NO! I’ll be paying for it anyway through taxes. They just want control of every aspect of our lives!
There needs to be a Lifeline service for internet, like there is for phone and other utilities.
Isn’t that what the public library is for?
Well put Jordan. It’s as simple as that. Taxpayers already pay for internet for everyone at the library.!
public libraries are perfect for this. It might even encourage some to checkout a book and read it. Wow imgine that.
I can’t watch porn in th library. The government cant take away my freedom to live a private life. Oh wait… It looks like the are.
Why is it that most people in the media have this Socialist mindset? What, you don’t think the Feds aren’t envolved in your life enough?
You are asking for trouble everytime you want the Feds/State/County/City government invovled in something better left in the hands of the private sector.
Hey, Chuang, just because someone knows how to use a computer, doesn’t mean they are entitled to the information super highway. If you want them to have access to the web, there’s always the local library. God forbid we actually use something that already exist instead of creating another hand for the government to be invovled in your life.
Chuang, just because someon kows how to use a computer, does not mean they are entitled to the information super highway.
who cares what they do!!! its all the same blah blah blah
and more blah blah blah blah
WHAT IS EVERYONE SO NEGATIVE AND PARANOID ABOUT. THE GOV IS TRYING TO HELP OUT AMER’S THAT EITHER CANT AFFORD TO HAVE GOOD SERVICES OR THOSE WHO CANT EVEN AFFORD IT AT ALL. THIS COUNTRY NEEDS TO STOP BEING SO SELFISH. EVERYONE WANTS WHATS GOOD FOR ME ME ME AND DOESN’T THINK ABOUT HELPING OUT THOSE THAT GO WITHOUT. WE ALL HAVE TO PAY TAXES. ACCEPT IT!!!! RETARDS WE JUST NEED IT TO GO TO WHAT HELPS US OUT OVERALL AS A WHOLE AND NOT WHAT SOME GROUP OF SWORDS THINK THEY CAN BEST BENEFIT FROM THE MOST. AND YOU CAN TRY AND INSULT THE MAN ALL YOU WANT BUT AS YOU DO ASK YOURSELF ” HAVE I EVER RECEIVED STANDING APPLAUSE AND MADE SO MANY PEOPLE PROUD THAT I EVEN BROUGHT MANY TO TEARS” OR DID I JUST SIT AROUND LIKE A MEANINGLESS DORK TRYING TO MAKE A MAN’S LAST NAME SOUND FUNNY. HEHEHE. RETARDS CEPT ONE COMPAS LATERS
Wow, ceptone, YELL much?!?!?!?!
There are always people that believe what the government says, that they are doing this for YOUR benefit, and to HELP you, and to make things FAIR. The government thanks you for your gullibility. Unfortunately for the people that can read between the lines we are outnumbered by people like you.
NOT AT ALL THINKING WHILE DOING TIME I JUST DONT LIKE THE WAY LOWER CASE LETTERS LOOK I GUESS ITS THE STRAIGHT LINES IN CAPS VS ALL THE LITTLE CURVES AND STUFF THAT LOOKS FUNKY BUT THANKS FOR NOT SAYING SOMETHING RUDE OR HUMORLESS.
Do we really need, or want the government in our internet? I’m sure that would go along with some loss of privacy.
What’s with everyone who thinks everyone is entitled to everything?
NO LADY IM WISE TO WHAT THEY ALWAYS HAVE AND CONTINUE TO DO BUT THE TRUTH IS THAT UNLESS WE HANDLE THINGS LIKE MEN SHOULD NOTHING WILL EVER CHANGE. I PROMISE YOU THAT AFTER ONE OR TWO CORRUPT SENATORS OR CONGRESSMEN WERE TO ACTUALLY PHYSICALLY FEEL THE PAIN CAUSED BY THERE ACTIONS OR TO SHOW THAT THEY ARE NOT UNTOUCHABLE THEN YOU WILL SEE SOME CHANGE. BUT INSTEAD THEY PROTECT THEMSELVES WITH MONEY AND POWER AND KEEP BURNING THE REST OF US WHO DONT DO NOTHING BUT CRY ABOUT IT. I KNOW THAT IF I WAS TAKEN FROM IN SOME WAY DIRECTLY BY OUR GOV. FOR SURE YOU’D SEE ME ON CNN “BRUTALLY ATTACKING AND BEATING” THE SUIT THAT CAUSED IT. P.S. THE LAST MAN I SAW STAND UP TO THE GOV. BY HIMSELF WITH NOTHING TO PROTECT BUT HIS NAME WAS HOWARD HUGHES. LIKE A MAN. BUT INSTEAD WE ALL HAVE TO GET A “LAWYER” AND “CONSULT WITH COUNSEL”, “ILL GET BACK TO YOU ON THAT”. SISSY LA LA’S
The US is so behind the times in terms of internet speed, many countries laugh at our bandwidth and prices. I see investments in our infrastructure as quality long-lasting investments, similar to our roads and bridges.
Our data needs are only going to increase as time goes on, so any investment in data infrastructure needs to be done right and with room for bandwidth growth. I can’t see the government being able to make all the correct decisions on their own. Having multiple large companies bid on these things, then spin them off as “free” will set our country up to compete in the 21st century.
This type of thing IS a stimulus to the economy, because it provides real tangible things, not just throwing funny-money around. This will provide US jobs, and will help everyone. If I have to pay taxes, this is the type of thing I want my money to go to instead of paying pensions, pet projects, and welfare.
The Government can’t even do what it’s supposed to be doing. Like national defense and protecting the borders. If the “US” provides Internet for All, understand that it’s not the Government providing it. It’s the Tax Payers providing it!!!!! Whatever we allow the government to do comes out of your pocket.
Let private industry do it. You will get the cheapest possible cost and the best infrastructure….
You negative OCR readers are idiots. I’m ashamed when my friends over seas ask me why we are so ass backwards. The US gov’t will never hold back our freedoms of speech and information. The article is about more bandwidth and not control over its content. Why do you think these companies like it? Even the ultra conservative FCC wants it done. Open your minds, see what the benefits actually are and lets catch up to the world. BTW the gov’t already controls the bandwidth for access to the internet companies. Did you not read the article?
“Speaking of spectrum, which is controlled by the government and doled out to wireless companies to use for Internet or other communication, the plan proposes freeing up 500 megahertz more for broadband use within 10 years. ”
*The mobile phone industry, represented by the CTIA organization, is “extremely pleased” especially with the proposed 500 mhz spectrum. Read statement.
* Verizon, which offers wireless and fiber-optic TV and Internet, supports it. Read statement.
* Google supports it but doesn’t want to rely on public policies. Read statement
* Sprint likes it, especially the pro-competitive recommendations. Read statement