A New Universal Service Fund

April 28th, 2010

The Universal Service Fund was created as a mandate of the Telecommunications Act of 1996  to increase availability of telecommunications services to consumers throughout the Nation.  Over a decade later,  revising the now outdated Universal Service Fund (USF) is one of the challenges that the FCC faces in implementing the National Broadband Plan released in March. 

According to an article posted on TMC Net last week, the new fund, which the FCC refers to as the Connect America Fund (CAF), acknowledges that  it no longer makes sense to maintain a fund used solely to subsidize landline technology, but instead should update the fund to reflect the constantly evolving and new technologies of today.  FCC Chairman Genachowski referred to the USF as “a multibillion dollar annual fund that continues to support yesterday’s communications infrastructure.”

While both the USF and the CAF concentrate funding on underserved and unserved areas, the CAF focuses on broadband communications.  Genachowski describes the USF makeover in his blog as “initiating a once-in-a-generation transformation, in order to connect all Americans to broadband, including Americans who live and work in rural areas.”  The FCC’s hope for a result of the transformation?  A step towards connecting everyone with the communications infrastructure of tomorrow.

HB 168 Passes in the Georgia General Assembly

April 19th, 2010

In 1995, under the leadership of Governor Sonny Perdue, telecommunications embarked on a journey for legislation reform to reflect the modern day technologies and advances in telecom. In the past decade, Georgia has taken important steps towards being a leader in broadband and telecommunications reform. Growth in broadband deployment has attracted private sector investment and helped the Georgia marketplace remain competitive.

This week, the Georgia State House and Senate members voted in strong support for HB 168, which will further update and modernize telecom laws in Georgia, providing countless benefits for consumers, businesses, and the economy.

CDF applauds the Georgia State Legislature, for voting in the best interests of Georgia consumers and businesses. To read our press statement on the passage of HB 168, please click here.

Broadband = an Essential Utility

April 9th, 2010

Jobs in every business industry today are reaping the many benefits of broadband.  Broadband and high-speed Internet access has created robust communications capabilities and a more efficient workforce.  The benefits are so advantageous, that one opinion piece posted in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution described broadband Internet, as once considered to be “a luxury,” but now as “an essential utility.”  The Brookings Institute takes it a step further, referring to broadband as the “essential infrastructure for our global information economy.” 

But with only 65% of U.S. households hooked up with broadband, according to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, there still remains a chunk of the population who remains disconnected from the broadband promised land.  The future, however, looks bright for broadband.  The author of the piece discusses the FCC’s National Broadband Plan and several local Georgia movements are working towards increased broadband adoption and utilization such as the Georgia Tech Broadband Institute and TechSmart.  Every effort counts.  In looking at the numbers, increased broadband access does more than connect individuals and increased business productivity, it creates jobs and cut costs. 

Continuing to update the policies that focus on broadband growth in Georgia will ensure that consumers can benefit from broadband.  The piece observes that, “a mere 1 percent increase in broadband penetration can create 300,000 new U.S. jobs,” and that is essential.  

To read the full piece, please click here.

Broadband Plan Addresses Need for more Spectrum

April 7th, 2010

As both policy makers and the public continue to digest the 376 pages that make up the FCC’s National Broadband Plan released March 16th, a strong focus remains on the importance of accommodating the growing use of broadband.  As the number of heavily data-dependent smartphone owners grows, mobile broadband and its reliance on increased spectrum is a critical issue that the FCC plan attempts to address.    

In a column posted on ZDNet, entitled, “CTIA: More Spectrum, and Other Ways to Break the Wireless Data, the author contends that the ever-increasing amount of mobile-broadband-using devices such as Kindles, smartphones, and netbooks require more spectrum to be available for mobile broadband.  Increasing spectrum, however, the author notes, will be a challenge for the FCC and the National Broadband Plan, which proposes to free up hundreds more megahertz over the next several years.  

In order for more individuals to engage in the mobile broadband realm, the author notes, more spectrum must be available to accommodate increased data flow.  To read the complete article, please click here.

CDF Hosts Breakfast on Broadband in Cherokee County, Georgia

April 2nd, 2010

This week, CDF held it’s most recent meeting in a continuing series of leadership breakfasts around Georgia in Cherokee County. 

CDF Chairman John Watson led a group of technology experts and telecommunications representatives in a conversation about the issues facing expanding broadband in Georgia.  Watson was joined by former Public Service Commissioner and telecommunications expert, David Burgess and Senior Advisor Chuck Clay.

Whether debating minimum bandwidth levels or the current statewide broadband mapping effort, the group agreed broadband was a key to economic development for Cherokee County and Northwest Georgia.