FCC plan would greatly expand broadband Internet connections

FCC plan would greatly expand broadband Internet connections

www.washingtonpost.com

The Federal Communications Commission announced on Monday its long-awaited plan to bring broadband Internet connections to every home and business in the United States, part of an ambitious, multibillion-dollar attempt to create a new digital infrastructure for the nation's economy.

(visit the link for the full news article)


Related News Links:
www.mercurynews.com
www.reuters.com
www.wired.com

I guess this is win-win, though I wonder how the federal government's expansion of the digital communications infrastructure interacts with private companies' use of it and their corresponding interests in potentially mandating various restrictions.

I think it's imperative that everyone from all income-levels have access to the Internet ... and there's no reason why, at this point, it shouldn't be broadband. Tiny bit curious it's coming from stimulus money, but it seems the array of stimulus projects are incredibly varied.

www.washingtonpost.com
(visit the link for the full news article)

If you use free internet you have restrictions..

I would rather pay for my service..

Could be wrong, but I think the idea is that the federal government is expanding the digital communications infrastructure as a capital expenditure which will be allocated to private companies for fees. I don't think the main gist is to provide "free internet" except to the extent that I'm sure all-access locations like public spaces (libraries) will benefit.

I wish "free internet" was the case, but we know out government isn't going to improve our lives at the expense of private companies ... we do live in what people call capitalism.

reply to post by Hadrian


I liked your use of italics.

Yeah, we have Capitalism as much as we have a Constitutional Republic.

I do not see the government's end deal here. Possible internet 2.0?

I trust our government as far as I can throw a singularity.

reply to post by endisnighe


"Internet 2.0" is a brand name of an already existing network for use by academia and business. It isn't any kind of new network for global control of the plebs or anythign sinister..

Lost track of the amount of time I have to point that out..

As for this plan, it is similiar to what the Uk is doing. The Government is putting a 50p levy on all fixed lines to pay for a fund that Telco's can use to pay for network expansion.

It is needed because EVERY telco in the world had their fingers burnt in the dot com boom, which saddled most with huge amounts of debt and a very cautious attitude to network expansion. Although the problem has always been with the "last mile" and not the core networks as they are litterally awash with bandwidth, yet the "last mile" is the most expensive bit to upgrade given the need to lay new cables, dig up roads etc.

Doesn't sound so "free" now does it? After you read this article, that is.....

As one of its rallying cries, the FCC says that broadband could bolster public safety and homeland security efforts by allowing first responders to better and more quickly send out and receive video and other data used in next generation 911 and emergency alert system.




www.crn.com...;jsessionid=AR53JW3JETR1VQE1GHRSKHWATMY32JVN

[edit on 17-3-2010 by freetree64]