European Analysts Laud U.S. Broadband Plan, But Question Goals

European reaction to the new U.S. broadband plan has been mixed, ranging from high praise to dismissal as a flawed catch-up exercise.

The plan was hailed as bold by Tim Johnson, chief analyst at Point Topic, a London-based provider of online analysis and data about broadband markets. He suggested it strengthened the case for a similar government-led approach to broadband stimulation in Europe and elsewhere. "Those of us on the 'invest now' side look at the case being made in the U.S. with great interest," Johnson said. "The boldness of the U.S. plan will encourage all those who believe that we should bring forward investment in superband and other new communications technologies, subject to truly competitive tendering." Johnson also praised the plan for not being overly ambitious, which he said will make it more likely to succeed. But Johnson also highlighted a concern shared by analysts that the FCC plan would fail once again to deliver a competitive broadband market in the United States.