The Future of Connectedness: Broadband vs. Internet2

TechNet and CSPP, two coalitions of high-tech CEOs, recently asked the government to set an ambitious goal - a National Broadband Policy - to connect 100 million homes and businesses to a next generation Internet 50 to 100 times faster than today?s broadband connections. President Bush is expected to preview his broadband initiative in Tuesday?s State of the Union. Since Internet connections at these faster rates cannot be delivered on the current infrastructure that carries DSL and cable broadband, the challenge will be how to facilitate a wired and wireless infrastructure both affordable and accessible to most Americans.

The high-capacity Internet of the future already exists. The Internet2 network already connects US research universities at speeds (100 Mbps) that can support advanced applications, such as tele-medicine, and streaming HDTV quality video.

Douglas Van Houweling, President and CEO of Internet2, will outline this technology, its advanced network applications, and the infrastructural challenges to broadening its reach. Internet2 is a not-for-profit consortium led by over 180 US universities and partnered with over 60 leading companies. New America?s Calabrese, Kornbluh, and Snider will comment on the policy and political challenge involved in providing the wired and wireless connections necessary for achieving universal and affordable access to the next generation Internet.

Participants

• Douglas Van Houweling
  President & CEO, Internet2: University Corporation for Advanced Internet Development
• Michael Calabrese
  Director, Public Assets Program, New America Foundation
• Karen Kornbluh
  Markle Fellow, New America Foundation
• J. H. Snider
  Markle Fellow, New America Foundation