From the FCC: COMMENT SOUGHT ON DEFINING “BROADBAND”

F.C.C. Public Notice: COMMENT SOUGHT ON DEFINING “BROADBAND”

Comment Date: August 31, 2009
Reply Comment Date: September 8, 2009

In this public notice, we seek tailored comment on defining “broadband” for purposes of the
Commission’s development of a National Broadband Plan (Plan) pursuant to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act), and for related purposes.

1 - The Recovery Act directs the Commission to create a national broadband plan by February 17, 2010, thatseeks to ensure that every American has access to broadband capability and establishes clear benchmarks formeeting that goal.

2 -To this end, on April 8, 2009, the Commission initiated a Notice of Inquiry (NOI) seekingcomment on the approach to developing this Plan, key terms of the statute, and a number of specific policy goals.

3 - The Recovery Act also provides that the Rural Utilities Service of the Department of Agriculture (RUS) and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration of the Department of Commerce (NTIA) distribute grants and loans for broadband. The RUS and NTIA have provided guidance to potential applicants which included a definition of “broadband.”

4 - In addition, the Commission has begun holding a series of staff workshops

(Released: August 20, 2009) -

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