Divergence: Which Path Will We Choose on the Road to Universal Broadband Adoption? Part II

Over the past few years, the Federal Communications Commission has spent hundreds of millions of dollars to subsidize broadband providers in an effort to encourage them to serve rural areas. However, there is much debate regarding how best to get access to rural customers. Many have wondered whether the FCC still needs to fund rural subsidies if there is growing competition in that market, especially given the possibilities offered by LTE, a wireless communication of high speed data for mobile phones and data terminals marketed as 4G LTE.

There is little question that LTE will likely start to take customers off of rural wireline; however, the limitations of bandwidth will be an impediment to 4G LTE wireless becoming true broadband alternative. Dr. Anna Maria Kovacs, founder and president of Regulatory Source Associates, LLC, questions whether we are willing to let go of the old networks in favor of the new. At MMTC’s recent Broadband and Social Justice Summit, Dr. Kovacs noted that the answer to this conundrum will make a lot of difference as to whether we can achieve the goal of universal broadband adoption. Since new technologies tend to be irreversible, the answer warrants careful consideration. According to Dr. Kovacs, “A big part of whether we’re going to get the networks that we need is whether we’re willing to get rid of the old networks.” And she is correct. While progress cannot occur if we cling to inefficient and antiquated networks, we must be careful that while attempting to bring one group of people into the digital future, we don’t disconnect another.