Latoya Livingston on Broadband Adoption and the National Broadband Plan
Latoya Livingston is a attorney writing for the Minority Media & Telecom council. Her article addresses the four key areas that must be met for broadband adoption under the National Broadband Plan. The full text of the article can be found at Broadband & Social Justice.
It was March 16, 2010, and the communications industry was abuzz with anticipation because the National Broadband Plan had just been released. That anticipation was somewhat tempered by the fact that of the $7.2 billion in broadband stimulus funds that were provided for, none was earmarked for minority businesses.
The Year of Adoption
If 2010 was the year of broadband legislation, then 2011 will be the year of broadband adoption. The digital divide is still a major concern for us all. With the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) reporting an adoption gap of at least 20 points between black and white Americans, and 20 points between Hispanic and white Americans, the FCC has a lot of work to accomplish the goals of the National Broadband Plan.
Four Priorities
If the FCC, in year of broadband adoption through implementation of the National Broadband Plan, will make significant strides in achieving the Holy Grail of first class digital citizenship for all Americans, the four distinct areas that we must focus on are promoting: (1) universal access; (2) universal adoption; (3) informed use; and (4) full economic participation of Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) in the construction and operation of broadband infrastructure.
Among the game changing entities in U.S. broadband right now are Comcast Corporation and Verizon. Companies like these are largely responsible for building the infrastructure that enables innovation and digitally connects the nation. Representatives of both companies spoke during the MMTC's January 2011 Broadband and Social Justice Summit: Verizon EVP Thomas Tauke and Comcast SVP Joe Waz spoke on what their companies plan to do over the coming years to address these priorities.
Universal Access
As the largest residential high speed provider in the U.S., Comcast has a significant opportunity to significantly increase universal access and adoption. Waz spoke on Comcast's commitment to this goal, as well as the company's intention to embrace advocacy around getting every American connected to broadband. According to Waz, Comcast is looking into new more efficient and sustainable ways to get everyone connected, specifically by using its Broadband Opportunity Program, which focuses on connectivity, education, and affordability; its new NBC Universal acquisition; and working toward reforming the Universal Service Fund, the federal subsidy system that provides low-income and rural families with affordable telecommunications service.
Spectrum is also vital in the effort to bring about universal access to broadband. As Tauke put it, "spectrum is the mother's milk of wireless," and without spectrum, innovation and progression would be stymied. To help encourage growth, Tauke revealed that Verizon is planning on making a huge investment in increasing fiber to homes, thereby enabling the network to deliver a 100 megabit per second capacity for its network.
Universal Adoption
In his remarks, Tauke envisioned a time when everyone and everything will be digitally connected. Tauke spoke of Verizon's work toward meeting the diverse needs of its consumers, such as through its assistive technology, which allows text to speech conversion for the visually impaired. Verizon has pledged to develop more programs geared at improving broadband-utilized educational, healthcare, energy, and traffic management services.
Tauke also criticized the discriminatory tax policies of many states, which tax wireless services at much higher rates than wireline services. Tauke advocated the abolishment of download taxes that some states have imposed to fill their dwindling budgets.
Informed Use
While a majority of Americans are already connected to broadband, most do not know how to use it wisely. The life-changing opportunities afforded to those who are connected to broadband are nearly endless, from education, to healthcare, to smarter shopping. Unfortunately, millions use broadband solely for entertainment — streaming media and connecting to social networks.
We must ensure that people are not only connected to broadband, but know how to use it effectively — they must understand security and privacy online as they take full advantage of the medium to improve their lives. Providing more substantive websites and uses for broadband technology — gearing away from their purely entertainment uses — will achieve this. Make it more attractive to those who ask, "Why do I need broadband in my life?"
Full Economic Participation
Tauke spoke of Verizon's intent to help develop smart cities filled with smart homes. What this would require, however, is economic opportunity for all. Revamping the Universal Service Fund to transition from subsidizing an analog technology to funding this digital conversation would be a significant step in that direction.
Working Together
MMTC has encouraged the FCC, NTIA, and others to take dramatic steps to close the digital divide for years. Collaboration is key in this endeavor. We will see whether 2011 will truly be the year of broadband adoption.
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