National Internet Access

http://www.broadband.gov

The Federal Communications Commission [FCC] is preparing to submit to Congress next week a 10-year plan that will redefine the nation’s media and technology priorities by establishing high-speed Internet as the country’s dominant communication network.  Highlights include:

• 100 million households at access speeds of 100 megabits/s
• $12-16 billion for public safety, connecting police, fire and other first responders
• Subsidies for Internet providers in rural parts of the country
• A universal table-top box connecting cable and Internet
• Wide Area Access to health care information
• Online classrooms
• Reduction in telephone subsidies

Recognizing broadband Internet is becoming the common “connection” of the U.S., (displacing the telephone and broadcast television industries), the FCC’s plan envisions a web-connected nation. According to Julius Genachowski, the FCC chairman, the U.S. trails other countries in broadband access for its citizens.  About one third of Americans have either no access to high-speed Internet service, cannot afford it, or choose not to have it.

Influencing billions of dollars of federal spending, the plan has already brought resistance from the broadcast television industry.  Likely to generate many debates in Washington and a lobbying battle among the telecommunication giants, the plan will also spark battles regarding Internet pricing and speeds and the federal government’s oversight.  There are already questions surfacing about the extent to which the FCC has jurisdiction over Internet providers.

“Ye who controls the pipe.”  Believers of ‘Great Conspiracies,’ to which I am one, will have field days with the above.  For example, the elimination of “bricks & mortar” for our school system; “big brothers” access to our private health information; and more!

Tags: Great Conspiracy Theories, New Technologies, Technology Ahead

This entry was posted on Saturday, March 13th, 2010 at 7:43 pm and is filed under General Interest. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.