Broadband Crucial for Small Business

On Thursday (March 4), Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski and Small Business Administrator Karen Mills outlined working recommendations in the National Broadband Plan that will promote job creation and economic opportunity by providing small businesses with more choices, training, and support for broadband. Although most businesses have broadband access today, there are still noticeable gaps in application adoption, rural business access, and competitive offerings for businesses. Moreover, small businesses are challenged with putting broadband to the proper use and maximizing its potential.

Working recommendations in the National Broadband Plan include:

• Review competition rules to ensure broadband choice for small businesses
• Collaborate with SBA to expand resources and opportunities for small businesses with regards to IT and broadband
• Pilot new entrepreneurial mentoring programs along with the Economic Development Administration
• Create a public-private partnership for digital literacy training to support small businesses in the country's neediest areas