"We can be the world leader in communications technology"

WE CAN BE A LEADER IN COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY
[SOURCE: The Hill, AUTHOR: Sen. Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii)]
[Commentary] In March 2004, President Bush called for universal, affordable broadband access by 2007. It is now 2007, and according to various statistics, the United States is still falling behind the rest of the world in the availability and quality of advanced communications services. Furthermore, we do not even have an accurate measure of how many households have access to broadband services. History shows that the United States is fully capable of being the world leader in technology, but our preeminence is threatened. We must devise a strategy to regain and retain our edge. We must engage in a concerted effort to regain our place as the world leader in communications services. There is no one answer, but we must make improving access to broadband services, modernizing universal service, funding federal research in new communications and information technology, and promoting competition national priorities. The Senate Commerce Committee will push forward to identify barriers to, and opportunities for, forward progress in these areas. We plan to hold a series of hearings at which we will ask experts, regulators, and representatives of the public to provide us their insights and recommendations, so that we may develop a comprehensive strategy for broadband innovation and access for all. Policymakers and companies must work together to find the answers to ensure America is competitive in the world.
http://thehill.com/thehill/export/TheHill/News/Frontpage/020607/sf_inouy...

The Hill has a special focus on telecom policy issues running. Other commentaries --

* Communications issues still need Congress’s attention (Sen Ted Stevens R-Alaska))
"As our nation moves farther into the digital age, there are several important issues that Congress should consider which will dramatically affect the way millions of Americans communicate. These issues include reforming universal service, easing the transition to digital television, and encouraging Internet access."
http://thehill.com/thehill/export/TheHill/News/Frontpage/020607/sf_steve...

* Internet freedom at risk (Sen Byron Dorgan D-ND)
"[W]e face a situation where the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has removed nondiscrimination rules that applied to Internet providers for years. Those are the very rules that enabled the Internet to flourish, innovation, and the movement of ideas, information and commerce to thrive. Without the rules that prohibit discrimination, the broadband operator could become a gatekeeper, capable of deciding who can get through to a consumer, and under what conditions. This fundamentally changes the way the Internet operates."
http://thehill.com/thehill/export/TheHill/News/Frontpage/020607/sf_dorga...
* ‘Net neutrality’ — no one even knows what that means (Rep. Joe Barton (R-Texas))
http://thehill.com/thehill/export/TheHill/News/Frontpage/020607/sf_barto...

* Affordable broadband for everyone (Rep John Dingell D-MI)
House Commerce Committee Chairman John Dingell proposes updating the FCC's definition of broadband and collection of data on broadband deployment. He also points to additional needs: encouraging infrastructure investment, promoting competition, spectrum management, modernizing universal service, fostering innovation and protecting consumers.
http://thehill.com/thehill/export/TheHill/News/Frontpage/020607/sf_dinge...