Broadband plan must be daring, comprehensive

[Commentary] A national strategy for bringing broadband technology to every community in America must be daring and comprehensive. The Federal Communications Commission must establish goals for the deployment of broadband infrastructure and performance measures to track and assess progress, especially in light of the billions allocated for broadband in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

The FCC's report must include:

1) a broad look at all spectrum use by commercial entities and the federal government before reaching conclusions about particular spectrum that should be reallocated,

2) bold new ideas to generate private investment by communications providers of all sizes using all available technologies, and

3) a significant role for state and local governments, who are uniquely positioned to identify challenges presented by particular unserved and underserved areas.

The FCC's forthcoming report to Congress can be a catalyst for decisive action to bring the benefits of broadband technology to all Americans and to close the gap between the United States and other developed countries in the communications capabilities available to individuals and businesses. For that to happen, the report must itself be bold and comprehensive. For Congress, federal and state agencies, and private technology companies to find consensus on the steps necessary to make broadband available to all Americans, this report must be more than a "plan for a plan."