You know how one thing seems to come up repeatedly in a few days. In Literature, it’s called motif; there’s a word for it in real life too but I can’t remember it. Well, Speed Matters has come up a few times for me this week.

I blogged about Speed Matters in February – but it came up again yesterday in a blog comment from Laura Unger. And now I’m reading a report from Speed Matters sent to me by Bernadine Joselyn, sent to her by Mike O’Connor.

As the publication states, “This position paper consists of five separate parts. The first provides a working definition of high speed broadband and provides examples that illustrate why it is necessary. The second part identifies some of the consequences resulting from our failure to enact a national policy for universal high speed broadband. The third part focuses on the importance of such a policy for jobs and quality services. The fourth part provides examples of other countries that have successfully implemented national policies. The final part provides a list of specific policy recommendations. By adopting these recommendations the United States would utilize the power of both the public and private sectors to promote the common welfare.”

While stylistically it’s very different from the primer on FTTH I read yesterday; it is a little bit like a primer on broadband. It too would be a great resource for a policy maker or community leader. I should note that it was created by the Communication Workers of America – so clearly they stand to gain by nationwide upgrades in their industry, but it also gives them the edge as far as knowledge goes. I like the fact that one example they give of a broadband application is from the CWA: “The CWA/Nett Academy provides online training and certification including the only online Cisco certification and training program in combination with hands-on activities directed by trained CWA proctors in CWA union halls.” So they’re practicing what they preach.

One point they make, and one I’ve heard repeatedly lately is that countries that are leaders in broadband have national policies. They provide very specific steps towards creating a national policy.