Broadband Plan Calls for More Cash

The National Broadband Plan that the Federal Communications Commission will release later this month will propose up to $25 billion in new federal spending for high-speed Internet lines and a wireless network for police and firefighters as part of a broader plan that appears to be a win for wireless companies.

The plan will also offer a variety of ideas for expanding Americans' access to affordable Internet over the next decade. FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski has been slowly releasing details about the plan, which will be released in mid-March, and last week suggested that Congress spend $12 billion to $16 billion for the wireless Internet network for police and firefighters. Whether Congress will agree to that much spending at a time of heightened concern over federal deficits is unclear. But the FCC proposal will represent a detailed outline of the Obama administration's ambitions for expanding Internet service to all Americans. It would allocate significantly more airwaves for wireless broadband services, including a block of airwaves set aside for use by police and firefighters. Executives from both AT&T Inc. and Verizon Communications Inc. posted statements on their blogs Tuesday applauding Chairman Genachowski's efforts.