Coalition urges national broadband strategy
Organizations want policies that would include providing more access to the Internet, government support for enhancing broadband use.
A coalition today urged federal officials to develop an overarching national broadband strategy in 2009 that would include increased access to the Internet to enhance public safety, job creation and education. The U.S. Broadband Coalition is comprised of about 50 organizations and individuals. It includes technology companies such as AT&T and Google along with advocacy groups, trade groups and corporations. “Broadband as an enabling technology is still growing out of its infancy. It has unlimited potential that remains to be fully realized,” said the coalition said. The organization urged the incoming Obama administration and Congress to adopt strategies to promote broadband deployment and adoption, along with incentives such as tax breaks, low-interest loans, public/private partnerships and other support. The coalition recommended these goals:
- Universal access to affordable high-speed broadband connections to the Internet.
- Open access.
- Network operator rights.
- Internet and broadband marketplace should be “as competitive as reasonably possible."
- That U.S. broadband networks should meet or exceed global standards.