The FCC could have some pretty big plans for a National Broadband Policy in this country -- if it approves recommendations revealed yesterday from a task force.
The task force has thoughts on everything from revamping E-Rate regulations to reviewing the set-top box market.
If the FCC loosened E-Rate regulations it could ease adoption of high-speed Internet access at schools.
Such a move could provide many opportunities for solution providers in the education and government arena.
However, the plan touches a multitude of areas: universal service, infrastructure access, spectrum, tribal lands, set-top boxes, consumer information, media, adoption of broadband, accessibility for people with disabilities and public safety.
Other areas that are to be addressed by the plan in greater detail in January include education, energy, health care, civic participation and others, will be addressed in greater detail in January.
The task force has roughly two months -- 62 days as of today -- to deliver a plan to Congress. The plan may recommend changes in the law in some cases, but those changes should be limited, the task force said.
Specifically, the task force interim report recommends that FCC rules and policies will have to be updated, beginning with the Universal Service Fund (USF).
To meet Congress's goal of universal access to broadband, USF should be directed to support affordable broadband service.
The task force called the USF a powerful tool in enabling the widespread deployment of high-speed broadband networks that will bring benefits, such as:
In addition, the task force addresses issues of mobility, and the challenges the United States faces regarding spectrum. The task force said mobile communications will be a major driver of job creation, economic growth, and innovation.
"The record contains powerful evidence that the demand on our commercial mobile spectrum is on a course to outstrip the supply," said the head of the Broadband Task Force Blair Levin, in a statement at the National Broadband Plan FCC Open Agenda Meeting, "This means that we'll need to pursue policies to promote greater spectrum and device efficiency and ensure there is sufficient spectrum for mobile broadband."
The agency is also considering revamping the television set-top box market, which is fairly stagnant and is dominated by a handful of vendors. The FCC wants to open up that market because of the device's potential to become a gateway for Internet services.
