Comments on Rural Broadband Strategy due

The Federal Communications Commission is inviting comments on how it and the Department of Agriculture should implement provisions of the 2008 Farm Bill calling for a comprehensive rural broadband strategy. Congress asks for recommendations on how to

1) promote interagency coordination of Federal agencies in regards to policies, procedures, and targeted resources, and to streamline or otherwise improve and streamline the policies, programs, and services;

2) coordinate existing Federal rural broadband or rural initiatives;

3) coordinate both short- and long-term needs assessments and solutions for a rapid build-out of rural broadband solutions and application of the recommendations for Federal, State, regional, and local government policymakers; and

4) identify how specific Federal agency programs and resources can best respond to rural broadband requirements and overcome obstacles that currently impede rural broadband deployment.

Specifically, the FCC is seeking suggestions regarding the substantive recommendations to be included in the report to Congress, as well as proposed goals and time frames to achieve the purposes of the report.

Comments are due on March 25, 2009.
A report is due to Congress by May 22, 2009.

(GN Docket No. 09-29, DA 09-561)

See http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-09-561A1.doc