[RTC List] Obama's broadband New Deal

[Larry Goldberg]

  How does Obama's broadband New Deal come to fruition?
      By lluna

Dec 11 2008

President-elect Barack Obama's proclamation this past weekend that  
broadband and national Internet access must be universal sounded the  
gong that this priority will be the part of what observers call his  
"new New Deal," and is making the broadband wireless community  
downright gaga over the prospects. In the early 20th Century, the New  
Deal meant money for highway construction and other public works  
projects, but in the 21st Century, broadband is getting added to the  
list. (See story No. 5)

Now the dirty work begins. How does this all come to fruition? How  
will the funds be doled out, what companies and technology will  
benefit and what strings will be attached in terms of regulations?  
Will it come in the form of support for nationwide operators or a  
nationwide licensee that would require the winning bidder to open up  
25 percent of its network for free broadband access? (Earlier this  
week I got an email from M2Z PR folks with the subject line: "Obama  
Adopts M2Z Plan, Promises 100% Broadband Availability." M2Z has been  
pushing the FCC to adopt rules next week that would license a  
nationwide wireless broadband operator and set aside a portion for  
free broadband to the country's have-nots.)

Or does it come from a local level? According to a new survey of  
economic development professionals from Craig Settles [1], head of  
Successful.com, the solution for turning broadband into an economic  
development engine lies primarily in the hands of local and regional  
governments and businesses via municipal broadband networks, with the  
federal government playing an important supporting role. The worst  
thing that could happen is to have the national telecom companies  
driving national broadband policy, they said.

While Obama's plan is being applauded by consumer groups across they  
country, the devil is certainly in the details. Let's hope it's  
something Obama can effectively make reality without it being mired  
down in lobbying and politics during the next four years.--Lynnette [2]

Source URL:
http://www.fiercebroadbandwireless.com/story/how-does-obamas-new-new-deal-come-fruition/2008-12-11

Links:
[1] http://mediabriefing.wordpress.com/
[2] mailto: lluna at fiercemarkets.com