Expanding and Accelerating the Adoption and Use of Broadband Throughout the Economy

On November 13, the US Broadband Coalition delivered a report to the Federal Communications Commission on how to improve broadband adoption and use. The report includes policy options for the National Broadband Plan. As computers and the Internet become more critical to daily life and work, America will benefit greatly from expanding the geographic reach and capacity of broadband networks and from increasing the adoption and use of information and communications technology (ICT). Digital literacy and broadband access are not merely an individual or household concern. The lack of access and technical literacy for some impacts quality of life, economic development and job creations, health care and wellness, educational methods and outcomes, energy conservation and environmental sustainability, public safety and security, and democracy and civic engagement for all U.S. communities. Even among households, businesses and institutions that are connected, increasing the intensity of use by simplifying application interfaces, removing barriers to interoperability and encouraging innovation will dramatically increase the value that broadband investment brings to the society as a whole.