FCC Releases Report on Broadband for Rural America

Over the past few years, the United States has begun to lag in the race to deploy broadband, especially in rural areas. However, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 provides $7.2 billion for broadband grants, loans and loan guarantees administered by the Agriculture and Commerce departments, and charges the FCC with completing a national broadband plan by next February.

To initiate that effort, The FCC just released a report — Bringing Broadband to Rural America: Report on a Rural Broadband Strategy. http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-291012A1.pdf In a release, the FCC called the 83-page report a "starting point for the development of policies to deliver broadband to rural areas and restore economic growth and opportunity for Americans residing and working in those areas."

By Wayne Hanson

Full Story: http://www.govtech.com/gt/articles/691379