Four Key Factors for Successful Broadband Plan

[Commentary] PRTM predicts these four areas will be addressed in the National Broadband Plan:

1) Enable new services: The plan must focus on the ultimate goal of delivering services and solutions in far-reaching areas such as education, healthcare, homeland security, and energy -- and must be rooted in facts and specific requirements to deliver high-impact, network- and mobility-enabled applications. Numerous other government organizations -- the departments of Health and Human Services, Education, Energy, Transportation and others -- must rally around the plan. Maximizing the value of expended broadband capability will require standards and unification that only the government can bring.

2) Break down barriers to network investments: Network investment is perhaps the greatest obstacle to widespread availability of high-speed broadband services in underserved areas. Accelerated expansion of broadband networks will be achieved through not only tax breaks, subsidies, and equalizing taxes, but also through the removal of obstacles that increase the cost of network deployment. Improved approval processes like the recently-passed FCC tower siting "shot clock" rule, are needed to improve zoning and deployment, promoting increased investment.

3) Free up spectrum to enable wireless solutions and mobility: PRTM looks forward to the passing of the National Spectrum Inventory Act which will be the first step towards identifying underutilized and inefficiently managed spectrum.

4) Bring broadband access to economically disadvantaged communities: PRTM anticipates a recommended shift for the Universal Service Fund from the provision of traditional telephone services to broadband. This would reduce the recurring cost of broadband service to currently underserved and unserved consumers, enabling them to sign up for currently-unaffordable broadband plans.

[PTRM is a global management consulting firm.]