Diverging Views on How to Spur Broadband Investment

Broadband Stimulus

New America Foundation
1630 Connecticut Ave NW, 7th Floor
Washington, DC 20009

Friday, January 16, 2009
12:15pm - 1:45pm

Both President-Elect Barack Obama and Congressional leaders have discussed including government support to promote high-speed broadband access as part of the upcoming economic stimulus package. This has prompted a flood of proposals and ideas from advocates of all sides of the broadband debate. Economic stimulus should be timely, temporary and targeted. But who should this stimulus target and how can we spur investments that will create both short-term economic growth and long-term economic prosperity in the 21st Century?

Although there is consensus on the critical need for broadband stimulus, there are clear divides on how the money should be spent. Do we utilize tax subsidies or targeted grants? Who receives the subsidies? Should we provide subsidies to existing cable and telecom providers, or focus on supporting new competitors? Should we strictly target subsidies to spur build-out in rural or under-served areas? Are there speed requirements? Do we include local governments, community groups, and NGOs? What about programs to increase adoption?

Panelists will debate these key questions and present their plans and ideas for a broadband stimulus.

Featured Speakers
Robert Atkinson
President and Founder
Information Technology and Innovation Foundation

Wally Bowen
Founder and Executive Director
Mountain Area Information Network

Debbie Goldman
Research Economist
Communication Workers of America

S. Derek Turner
Research Director
Free Press

Mark Cooper
Director of Research
Consumer Federation of America

Benjamin Lennett
Senior Program Associate, Wireless Future Program
New America Foundation

Moderator
Michael Calabrese
Director, Wireless Future Program
New America Foundation

To RSVP for this event, click on the red button or go to the event page:
http://www.newamerica.net/events/2009/broadband_stimulus

For questions, contact Stephanie Gunter at (202) 986-2700 x 315 or gunter@newamerica.net