Day 1 of the National Broadband Plan

[Commentary] For weeks, the National Broadband Plan team at the Federal Communications Commission has operated under a clock counting down the days to today. But today, for all of us, is . We will all scurry to absorb the conclusions and recommendations of the plan. And, tomorrow, we will -- we must -- roll up our sleeves to make sure we all enjoy the promise of truly universal, affordable broadband.

The promise of the plan is broadband access for all Americans, affordability, and maximum use of broadband to improve consumer welfare, civic participation, public safety and homeland security, community development, health care delivery, energy independence and efficiency, education, worker training, private sector investment, entrepreneurial activity, job creation and economic growth. I am thrilled to read the FCC's plan. But as relieved as I am that the FCC has delivered the plan -- and fully cognizant of the incredible work done inside and outside the Commission to get us here -- let me be among the first to identify our new challenge: we must implement this plan - quickly - while evaluating our investments in broadband to inform our next national broadband plan.