Obama cites broadband as key to economic stimulus
President-Elect Obama is committed to including an investment in broadband deployment and adoption in his proposed economic stimulus package.
In a speech on Thursday, January 8, Obama said:
"To build an economy that can lead this future, we will begin to rebuild America...It means expanding broadband lines across America, so that a small business in a rural town can connect and compete with their counterparts anywhere in the world..."
This is one of the many times that Obama has cited broadband deployment as a key component of what will likely be his first major act as President. He also did so in a December radio address.
On the website of his transition to the White House, the Obama-Biden Plan for economic recovery says that deploying next-generation broadband is a great way to create jobs and stimulate the economy:
"Barack Obama and Joe Biden believe we can get broadband to every community in America through a combination of reform of the Universal Service Fund, better use of the nation's wireless spectrum, promotion of next-generation facilities, technologies and applications, and new tax and loan incentives."
Speed Matters will continue its coverage of investment in broadband in the economic stimulus package as proposals move forward within the Obama administration and on Capitol Hill.
Obama to include broadband in economic stimulus package (Speed Matters)
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