Study calls for 1 Gbps Internet nationwide by 2015

A new study by the Baller Herbst Law Group calls for a comprehensive national high speed Internet policy that aims for 1G bits per second by 2015. It's a lofty goal, but with new content and applications constantly being developed, attaining such speeds is the only way to guarantee that Americans can stay connected in the future.

Jim Baller, the study's co-author, explained the importance of pushing for the most advanced Internet possible:

Some people will dispute that the U.S. needs 100M bps or 1G bps, as the study calls for, Baller said. "Great nations build key infrastructure with a lot of headroom," he said. "They do what it takes to be great and stay great."

The study was commissioned by the e-NC Authority, which was established in 1999 to improve technology use statewide. So far e-NC has made progress on connecting public schools and bringing high speed Internet to rural Western North Carolina. Still, 16 percent of residents don't have any high speed access, and the Baller Herbst study provides recommendations for how North Carolina -- and the other 49 states -- can bridge that gap.

Among the recommendations are increased consultation with a wide range of high speed Internet stakeholders, including economic development experts, telecom companies, state and local governments, academics, and a representative sample of the general public; continued financial incentives, including grants, for service providers to connect rural areas; collaboration among local communities to increase their bargaining power when seeking high speed Internet service; and requirements that service providers hand over detailed information about the availability, speed, and price of their Internet connections.

The Baller Herbst study also suggests that the U.S. government should do more on a national level to foster expanded high speed Internet access. FCC Commissioner Michael Copps echoed that sentiment:

"The U.S. White House needs a broadband czar who coordinates how government agencies are promoting broadband, added Michael Copps, a member of the U.S. Federal Communications Commission. The U.S. Department of Human and Urban Development should require broadband hookups in all new public housing projects, and other agencies should work with local schools and libraries to extend their Internet access...."

With the United States falling further and further behind the rest of the world in high speed Internet access, we must continue to call for the government to build the necessary infrastructure to keep all Americans connected to the digital age.

Capturing the Promise of Broadband for North Carolina and America (e-NC) 

Study Calls for 1G Broadband in US (PC World)

School technology initiatives must follow the kids home (Speed Matters)

High-speed internet links Asheville, NC to Atlanta (Speed Matters)