What’s Next After Broadband Stimulus?

Congress allocated $7.2 billion for broadband projects in the 2009 Stimulus Act and the final application round for funding has closed. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) estimates that an additional $350 billion is needed to expand high-speed connectivity nationwide; meaning cities and communities will need to explore other options for bringing broadband to their residents, businesses and institutions.

In a forward-looking discussion on ideas for the next steps to deploy high-speed, affordable and ubiquitous broadband access in 21st century America, author and broadband business strategist, Craig Settles suggested that each community must closely review its unique needs before it can unleash local and national resources towards deploying broadband throughout the community. Mr. Settles presented key lessons from his book, Fighting the Next Good Fight: Bringing True Broadband to Your Community. He focused on the need for sound policy, public-private partnerships, creativity, and also Return on Investment (ROI) for every partner involved in fighting the next good fight of bringing true broadband to communities across America.

A distinguished panel of speakers rendered their thoughts and ideas towards the next steps in universal broadband deployment in the country.

Bryan Sivak, Chief Technology Officer of the District of Columbia, commended federal policy initiatives towards broadband deployment. He spoke about DC’s robust and secure broadband infrastructure, DC-Net, and said that “fiber is future-proof” and with fiber as the backbone communities could extend it to provide wireless access in communities.

Joanne Hovis, President-Elect of NATOA and President of Columbia Telecommunications Corporation, gave policy recommendations towards ensuring ubiquitous and affordable broadband access throughout the country including reforming the Universal Service Fund and E-rate to directly accommodate infrastructure build out for broadband. She said that there is expectation for BTOP2 to be very successful and more effective after the substantial success of its predecessor. She commended the excellent public –private partnerships that have been formed as a result of BTOP.

Gary Carter, Analyst at City of Santa Monica Information Systems Department, explained the innovative model that the City of Santa Monica uses to provide high-speed and ubiquitous broadband access to its residents, businesses and institutions. He also underscored the ample opportunity for cost savings generated when a community leases its fiber to businesses and institutions. These savings not only help communities to break-even but also give them enough capital to build more future-proof networks and infrastructure for the city.

The panel stressed that access to high-speed, affordable and ubiquitous broadband is a necessity in the 21st century and also provided solutions that government and communities could adopt to achieve this critical national goal.

Participants

Opening Remarks
Sasha Meinrath
Director , Open Technology Initiative
New America Foundation

Featured Speaker
Craig Settles
President, Successful.com
Co-Director , Communities United for Broadband

Panelists
Bryan Sivak
Chief Technology Officer
District of Columbia

Joanne Hovis
President-Elect, NATOA
President, Columbia Telecommunications Corporation

Gary Carter
Analyst, Information Systems Dept
City of Santa Monica

Moderator
Benjamin Lennett
Policy Analyst , Open Technology Initiative
New America Foundation