Sadly I wasn’t able to attend last month – but the National Rural Assembly recently posted presentations on their web site – including a keynote from FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn on rural broadband. It’s the next best thing to being there.

She started with a thought that resonated with me…

Broadband has the potential to address many of the challenges they [rural areas] face…

She notes that the FCC is looking at USF and ICC for deployment. She spoke about broadband deployment, specifically talking about how changes in the E-Rate program will help schools and libraries can get faster connections from the lowest cost providers through existing networks.

She recognized that cost is main reason most folks don’t get online – but skills to use broadband and interest follow closely behind. If fact, at least half of her talk focused on increasing adoption. She brought up OneEconomy/Comcast Digital Connectors Program and Minnesota’s own MIRC program (Minnesota Intelligent Rural Communities). She really emphasized the need for provide-public partnerships and focus on consumers.

In the end, Commissioner Clyburn makes a nice analogy to rural areas need attention and the attention received by college athletes. You can see the speech on the National Rural Assembly web site.