CWA: Broadband Plan Must be Bold, Realistic

The Federal Communications Commission must put job-creating investment at the top of its agenda, and ensure that workers in the industry benefit from broadband build-out and adoption programs.

While the FCC must focus on short term achievable recommendations that ensure that all Americans have access to high-speed networks, it must also set ambitious goals and recommend policies that speed widespread deployment of world-class next-generation advanced networks. The National Broadband Plan should lay out a bold, yet realistic set of initiatives that will engage the public and private sectors to spur deployment and adoption of broadband to bring our nation up to global standards.

CWA lays out 13 priorities to help the Commission reach these goals:

1. Safeguard Workers and Consumers in the Transition to an IP-World. As communications networks and services transition from circuit-switched to an all IP network, the Commission must update the framework to protect consumers' rights to universal, affordable, quality service and communications workers' rights to quality employment with good wages, benefits, retirement security, and training.
2. Establish Ambitious, Yet Achievable Goals. The National Broadband Plan should set as a goal that all people of the United States shall have access to networks capable of sending and receiving video, with speeds at 10 (megabit per second) mbps downstream and 1 mbps upstream. By 2015, at least 80 percent of Americans shall have access to networks capable of 50 mbps downstream and 10 mbps upstream. The Commission should establish separate benchmarks for community anchor institutions such as schools, libraries, health care providers, and government agencies.
3. Implement Truth-In-Billing Consumer Protections. The Commission should establish a truth-in-billing program that would require broadband operators and service providers to provide common, clear information about the products and services they offer, including actual and advertised speeds, price, fees, reliability, latency, contract terms, service limits, privacy policies, and traffic management policies.
4. Reform the Universal Service Fund. The National Broadband Plan should recommend that the Commission immediately open a proceeding to reform the federal $7 billion annual Universal Service Fund to support broadband in high-cost rural areas.
5. Establish Tax Incentives to Encourage Investment in Higher Speeds. The National Broadband Plan should urge Congress to establish a program of targeted, temporary tax incentives to support new high-speed broadband deployment.
6. Support the Creation of Public-Private Partnerships and State and Local Broadband Task Forces. The National Broadband Plan should recommend that each state establish a broadband task force to promote sustainable capacity building over the long-term.
7. Provide Universal Service Fund Subsidies to Low-Income Households. The National Broadband Plan should recommend that the Commission move forward expeditiously to implement a pilot program to provide USF subsidies to low-income households for broadband access and equipment.
8. Make it Easier for Consumers to Access the Internet over Television. The National Broadband Plan should include specific recommendations to open the set top box market to competition and innovation.
9. Establish a National Digital Ambassadors Outreach and Literacy Program. The National Broadband Plan should recommend a national program of digital ambassadors working in communities to promote digital literacy.
10. Promote No Child Off-Line National Subsidized Computer Program. The National Broadband Plan should recommend a national program to provide subsidies to low-income families with children to purchase computers.
11. Provide Tax Deduction for Employers Who Pay for Devices and Connectivity. The National Broadband Plan should recommend that Congress establish a program to provide tax deductions to employers who pay for devices and connectivity for low-income and nonadopter employees.
12. Leverage Public Programs to Promote Broadband Solutions. The National Broadband Plan should recommend specific programs and policies that leverage broadband solutions to meet our nation's challenges in health care, education, job training, energy conservation, civic engagement, public safety and cyber security, housing, and economic development.
13. Maintain and Grow Good Jobs. With unemployment at 10 percent, the National Broadband Plan should encourage the Commission to open an inquiry into the employment situation in the communications industry, and policies to encourage the growth of good jobs in the industry.