FCC Commissioner Clyburn encourages academics to study BTOP grants

Federal Communications Commission member Mignon Clyburn encouraged academics to study the effectiveness of broadband stimulus grants allocated by the Commerce Department in support of broadband deployment. "As the commission retrofits its policies to further encourage broadband deployment—both wireless and wired—feedback on the wholesale impact on our nation will be valuable," she said. Emphasizing that academia has a role in shaping American broadband policies, Commissioner Clyburn said the FCC staff conducted dozens of workshops with notable academics as it shaped the National Broadband Plan. "They did obtain a significant amount of information from industry and consumer groups," she said, but "they also received input from academia." "As a result of your work and participation, we have an incredibly well-adapted plan," she said.