FCC Will Consider ‘Free Or Very Low Cost’ WiFi Broadband Service
93 million Americans are making do without significant access to home broadband and with the National Broadband Plan on the table — the major obstacles to full adoption of this opportunity are interestingly enough discussed after the jump. The big plan will be delivered to Congress some time this week and it will include the creation of a Digital Literacy Corps who will be performing missionary duties among the few who are still bucking against the power of the Internet. The FCC notes that cost, computer illiteracy, and a sheer lack of awareness about the benefits for the web are some obstacles. While the proposal to consider the use of spectrum for a free or very low cost wireless broadband service the cost will be the conversational piece in this FCC plan. According to Business Week it may be years before the full reforms are implemented, if at all, the FCC has been met with opposition, but this is something that in the long run would help the masses finally log online. America’s Digital Inclusion Summt at the Newseum was the conversation point where the focus was placed on the need to breakdown the broadband barriers. 65% of Americans use the web and when put against the United States ambitious goal of home broadband usage of 90% by 2020. Recommendations contained in the National Broadband Plan are just the beginning of what’s being developed by the FCC. Chairman Julius Genachowski said, “In order to ensure long term American competitiveness and prosperity, we must not leave one-third of the nation behind,” Genachowski said. “The National Broadband Plan provides a vision for federal, state and local leadership and partnerships with the private and non- profit communities that will bridge the digital divide and transform America into a nation where broadband expands opportunities for all.” The discussion had participants from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary (Shaun Donovan), FCC Commissioners Michael Copps, Meredith Attwell Baker, and Mignon Clyburn. Representatives from Massachusetts (Edward Markey), Nebraska (Lee Terry), and California (Xavier Becerra) all participated in the Summit. The FCC delivered this National Broadband Plan today. This will be a strategy for U.S. global leadership in high-speed Internet, as these details will be strategies for expanding affordable, world-class broadband throughout the country. It is also the hope and expectation of the FCC that this Plan will create jobs and spur economic growth; to unleash new waves of innovation and investment; and to improve education, health care, energy efficiency, public safety, and the vibrancy of the United States democracy. Do you believe this is just what we need to infuse hope into our struggling economy and job environment? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!
About the Author Kevin L. Clark, aka Clark Kent, aka Batman, may go by a few well known monikers, but his writing is in a class of its own. Having penned features for XXL, KING, VIBE and GIANT Magazine, Clark Kent built his name up from the ground-up, beginning with HipHopDX.com. Now, the founder of his own site - Don't Lose Your Day Job [dot com] - Clark Kent joins Black Web 2.0 to push the absurd to the forefront and keep a smile on your face.
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