Thanks to Ann Higgins for passing on a newsletter from Speed Matters with info on the US Conference of Mayors (USCM) and their resolution for high speed Internet deployment on a national level. (Judging by another story in the same newsletter, the timing is good and the need is there; according to Pew Internet and American Life, one in ten Americans still cannot gain access to high speed networks.)
The nicest part is that they really call on the Bush Administration and the FCC to develop a national broadband policy. The mayors wisely make the connection of broadband as a utility. They leave the door open for communities to handle their own infrastructure but suggests that a national policy could lead the way.
Looking at the resolution, I see similarities with other suggestions for a national broadband policy including the Blandin Broadband vision. Specifically I see world-class standards, ubiquitous and affordability mentioned.
Here’s the blub from the resolution:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that if U.S. cities are to thrive as engines of economic growth and be globally competitive in the 21st Century, then the Administration, Congress and the FCC should take action now to develop a comprehensive national broadband policy that includes high speed broadband deployment to cities as an imperative; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the national broadband policy should support measures to preserve the ability of local governments to provide broadband capability and services within their communities; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that said national broadband policy should ensure that the speed of Internet access available to American consumers, enterprises and institutions is comparable to that available in the most advanced industrialized nations; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that said national broadband policy should ensure that these high-speed Internet services are ubiquitous in availability to all American households in all neighborhoods; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that said national broadband policy should ensure that affordable high-speed Internet access is attainable for all American consumers and families; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that if American cities are to undertake appropriate and necessary broadband planning, the FCC should immediately begin collecting detailed information on broadband coverage and use and share said data with local governments as such information is a matter of public concern; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Administration, Congress and the FCC should work with local governments to facilitate an expansion of resources to speed the development of affordable globally competitive infrastructure in American cities.
