A number -- OK, let's give it a number: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 -- of DC policy events this month are examining what has been accomplished in the first year since the Federal Communications Commission sent the National Broadband Plan to Congress. At the Benton Foundation, we've had our eyes on the Plan all year and have been tracking the progress in implementing it . So we're not above jumping on the bandwagon -- if for no other reason than we think it very important that the public hold the FCC and other governmental bodies accountable for delivering on the promise of the broadband plan.
It is not without irony that this week's Headlines were dominated again with updates on network neutrality. The House Commerce Committee, it appears, bent on celebrating the broadband plan anniversary by voting to rescind the FCC's open Internet/network neutrality rules adopted last December. On March 9, the Committee's Communications Subcommittee held a back-to-back hearing and vote on a resolution of disapproval that -- if passed by the House and Senate and signed by President Barack Obama -- would disallow the FCC's rules. The full House Commerce Committee is expected to vote on and approve the resolution March 15. Of course, although a companion resolution had been introduced in the Senate, its prospects are dim and President Barack Obama -- a strong network neutrality advocate and supporter of the FCC's rules -- seems completely unlikely to sign the resolution if it ever made it to his desk. So the entire exercise, as commentators like Public Knowledge's Art Brodsky point out, proves the new House majority has a laser-like focus on fixing the economy, encouraging innovation, and getting people back to work.
Lost in the news of March 9, perhaps then, was the FCC's announcement that it will provide E-Rate funding for 20 “Learning On-The-Go” wireless pilot projects . The National Broadband Plan includes a recommendation that the FCC support off-campus mobile Internet connections for students. According to a survey approximately 50 percent of the schools and libraries plan to implement or expand the use of digital textbooks and other wireless devices for digital learning. The FCC aims to increase the percentage of schools and libraries across the country using mobile broadband. As Rep Jesse Jackson Jr (D-IL) said this week on the House floor while holding an iPad and a Kindle, "These devices are revolutionizing our country — and they will fundamentally alter how we will educate our children." Rep Jackson is promoting an idea to amend the Constitution so that it guarantees every American the right to an equal education. An education facilitated by technology, Rep Jackson says, could help further inalienable rights both in and out of the Constitution.
On Benton's National Broadband Plan Tracker you can follow the developments of each recommendation including the related dockets the FCC launches and public comments it receives, legislation introduced in Congress, and changes in Administration policy. The Tracker is powered by our Communications-related Headlines service -- a daily update on the world of telecommunications policy. The Tracker captures the links between today's Headlines and events, bills moving through Congress, dockets at the FCC, and the week's key events.
Next week's agenda includes three National Broadband Plan review events, so expect to hear lots more about how the FCC and other government bodies are doing implementing plan. But there will also be news about the Freedom of Information Act in the Digital Age, online consumer privacy, and more.