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Headlines, Universal Broadband
Today's Quote 06.25.08
Submitted by Benton Foundation on June 25, 2008 - 8:02am"Generally, I think the Universal Service Fund needs to be blown up like the Death Star."
-- Rep Mike Doyle (D-PA)
Universal Service, Broadband and the Death Star
Submitted by Benton Foundation on June 24, 2008 - 9:03pmLast updated: June 25, 2008 - 8:02am
Ed Markey (D-MA), the Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet, held a hearing exploring the core principles of universal service, which historically has provided a baseline level of affordable voice telecommunications service to everyone in the United States, in light of the rise of Internet-based broadband communications technologies and the changing marketplace.
Coalition seeks federal nudge for universal broadband
Submitted by Benton Foundation on June 24, 2008 - 8:57pmLast updated: June 25, 2008 - 7:36am
Vint Cerf and Federal Communications Commission member Jonathan Adelstein joined forces Tuesday in renewing calls for the U.S. government to more actively expand broadband service. They and other members of a new coalition promised hearings across the country and set up a Web site at InternetForEveryone.org to outline principles such as universal broadband access and competition to ensure lower prices and faster Internet connection speeds.
Study Calls for 1G Broadband in US
Submitted by Benton Foundation on June 24, 2008 - 8:56pmThe U.S. should aim for 100M bps (bits per second) of broadband available to all U.S. residents by 2012 and 1G bps by 2015 in order to catch up to other countries that are moving forward with broadband rollouts, recommends a study released Monday.
CWA Claims Credit for FCC Data Order, But Ignores Local Company Data
Submitted by Benton Foundation on June 24, 2008 - 8:54pmLast updated: June 25, 2008 - 8:10am
Over at the Communications Workers of America’s blog, Speed Matters, the union claimed credit for the Federal Communications Commission’s recent order requiring broadband companies to provide the FCC with more information, including data about availability by Census tract.
The Future of Universal Service: To Whom, By Whom, For What, and How Much?
Submitted by Benton Foundation on June 24, 2008 - 7:54amThe House Telecom Subcommittee discusses Universal Service reform today (see story below and more at http://energycommerce.house.gov/cmte_mtgs/110-ti-hrg.062408.Witness.List...) For this and other upcoming media policy events see http://www.benton.org/calendar/2008/6
The Future of Universal Service is Broadband
Submitted by Benton Foundation on June 23, 2008 - 6:38pmOn Tuesday, a House hearing will consider the future of communications in America. The question of the day is whether America's future communications system should be based on 19th century technology - the telephone - or on 21st century digital broadband.
Obama's Telecom Policies Suggest Open-Internet Push
Submitted by Benton Foundation on June 22, 2008 - 3:33pmSen Barack Obama (D-IL) is seen as likely to push for key changes in telecommunications policies that would expand Internet businesses if he's elected US president. He supports Network Neutrality legislation which prevents Internet providers from interfering with Web content based on its source or ownership.
Free Internet is part of new FCC airwaves auction
Submitted by Benton Foundation on June 22, 2008 - 3:32pmThe Federal Communications Commission on Friday said it wants to auction a section of wireless airwaves to buyers willing to provide free broadband Internet service without pornography. The agency asked for public comment on its plan to auction an unused portion of the wireless spectrum with the condition that the winning bidder offer free Internet access and filter out obscene content on part of those airwaves.
High-Speed Broadband Access for All Kids: Breaking through the Barriers
Submitted by Benton Foundation on June 22, 2008 - 3:02pmThe State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA) has released a report addressing the growing concern and critical need for high-speed Internet access among our districts and schools. Although national statistics boast almost 98% connectivity in US schools, the substance and bandwidth of the connection is often problematic and insufficient.
