FCC Seeks Comments to Update Rural Broadband Report

The Federal Communications Commission is seeking comment on how to best update and evaluate the 2009 Rural Broadband Report.

The report recommended new policies to deliver broadband to rural areas and restore economic growth and opportunity for Americans residing and working in those areas. The 2009 Rural Broadband Report identified a number of challenges typically affecting rural broadband, including technological issues, high costs, and lack of data. The report made a number of recommendations, including enhancing coordination among and between federal, Tribal, state, and community agencies, governments, and organizations; reviewing existing federal programs to identify barriers to rural broadband deployment; coordinating broadband data collection and mapping efforts; and supporting consumer education and training initiatives aimed at stimulating and sustaining broadband demand. The report also identified a number of policy areas and proceedings where Commission action could support broadband deployment and adoption.

Interested parties may file comments on or before March 2, 2011. When filing comments, please reference GN Docket No. 11-16.