FCC Will Overhaul Broadband Policy

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is about to begin hearings on how to expand broadband access to consumers here in the United States.  Barack Obama’s $787 billion dollar stimulus package directed the FCC to come up with a strategy on how to spend billions of dollars on our nations network infrastructure.  Telecommunications companies are already gearing up for fight with the FCC after talk about hearings ignited another heated debate about net neutrality between telecom companies and consumer groups.

$7.2 billion dollars has been allocated to broadband networks and other related projects.  This money will be invested into expanding broadband service and speeds on those networks.

What does this mean for small private telecom companies that currently serve rural areas?  Will this government investment finally make the government to take a hard stance on net neutrality?
“[The new infrastructure investment is ]the biggest responsibility given to the FCC since the Telecom Act of 1996,” acting FCC Chairman Michael Copps, said in an interview. “The market has done a lot, but it hasn’t done enough to keep us competitive in the world.”

Obama has stressed that he plans on closing the gap when it comes to broadband Internet access. The FCC’s new plans will go into affect February of 2010. Starting Wednesday they’ll open up the floor to comments from interested parties. It’s likely that current industry heavyweights will have plenty to say as the future of broadband Internet access in the U.S. is defined.