The FCC just released their agenda for the open meeting planned for April 21 – a plan to discussion implementation of the National Broadband Plan. Here’s their tentative short list of topics, taken from their press release…

• USF Reform NPRM and NOI: A Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that proposes common-sense reforms to the existing high-cost support mechanisms to identify funds that can be refocused toward broadband, and a Notice of Inquiry that seeks comment on the use of a model to determine efficient and targeted support levels for broadband deployment in high-cost areas.

• Mobile Roaming Order and FNPRM: An Order implementing rules to ensure the availability of reasonable automatic roaming arrangements for voice service and a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking seeking comment on roaming arrangements for mobile broadband services.

• Network Gateway NOI: A Notice of Inquiry seeking comment on best approaches to assure the commercial availability of smart video devices and other equipment used to access the services of multi-channel video programming distributors.

• CableCARD NPRM: A Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that proposes changes to the CableCARD rules for set-top boxes used with cable services, to improve the operation of that framework pending the development of a successor framework.

• Survivability NOI: A Notice of Inquiry seeking comment on the present state of survivability in broadband networks and potential measures to reduce vulnerability to network failures.

• Cybersecurity Certification NOI: A Notice of Inquiry seeking comment on whether the Commission should establish a voluntary program under which participating communications service providers would be certified by the FCC or a third party for adherence to cybersecurity objectives and/or practices.

I see a lot of broadband plans but I always think the devil is in the deployment. We can pay lip service to an awful lot – but we can only accomplish so much at a time.

On a completely unrelated note, I’m having one of those days where broadband makes or breaks me. I’m on a bus from Dublin to Belfast and I’m online – or at least I will be until I cross the border into Northern Ireland. Ironically last week I was in Minnesota and completely offline one day. I realized that proximity is no longer a factor in my job. I can work anywhere so long as I can get online. I’m like so many other small businesses. If/when I consider relocation (temporary or permanent) only those towns with broadband make the cut for me.

As an added unrelated note, I’m making my slow way to Scotland where I hope to visit Dundee, one of the top ranking Intelligent communities.