FCC Chairman Genachowski Announces Support for Nationwide 100 mbps Broadband

FCC Chairman Genachowski previewed features of the FCC's National Broadband Plan in an announcement on January 16.

"Our plan will set goals for the U.S. to have the world's largest market of very high-speed broadband users," he announced, and outlined a broadband goal to have 100 million households at 100 megabits per second within 10 years. The National Broadband Plan is due to Congress next month.

Genachowski highlighted the economic and job creation benefits of offering higher broadband speeds, specifically detailing the impact it would have on both the telecommunications and Internet technology industries. Increased network infrastructure build out will drive investment and create jobs in the "building of wired and wireless networks", and also in technology manufacturers and applications.

Despite recent innovation in the broadband industry, the United States still ranks 28th in broadband speed, trailing Japan, Korea, and France.

In his speech, the Genachowski also discussed the FCCs recommendation to improve the E-rate program that supports Internet connections to classrooms and libraries, and a proposal to increase broadband availability to low-income families. The agency plans to use the universal service fund, a decade-old subsidy program that allows low-income families access to phone service, to get more people connected to high-speed networks.

The FCC chair said that great innovation is necessary to transform the United States into the worlds largest high-speed Internet market. "We should stretch beyond 100 megabits," Genachowski said. "The U.S. should lead the world in ultra high-speed testbeds as fast or faster than anywhere in the world."

FCC to propose faster broadband speeds (Reuters)

Economic Growth and Quality Jobs (Speed Matters)