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One day ahead of schedule, the Federal Communications Commission will deliver to Congress today the long-awaited National Broadband Plan, setting what the agency terms “an ambitious agenda for connecting all corners of the nation.”

 

The 10-year plan calls for connecting 100 million households to affordable 100-megabits-per-second service, affordable access to ultra-high-speed broadband of at least 1 gigabit per second at anchor institutions such as schools, hospitals, and military installations and making 500 megahertz of spectrum newly available for licensed and unlicensed use.

 

“The National Broadband Plan is a 21st century roadmap to spur economic growth and investment, create jobs, educate our children, protect our citizens, and engage in our democracy,” said FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski (News - Alert). “It’s an action plan, and action is necessary to meet the challenges of global competitiveness, and harness the power of broadband to help address so many vital national issues.”

 

Titled “Connecting America: The National Broadband Plan,” the plan found that while broadband access and use have increased over the past decade, the nation must do much more to connect all individuals and the economy to broadband’s transformative benefits. 

 

The blueprint for upgrading Internet access for all Americans includes improvements such as Internet speeds up to 25 times the current average, expanded coverage and more airwaves for mobile services.

 

Nearly 200 million Americans had fast Internet access at home last year, but about 100 million do not, says the FCC (News - Alert) document. “Like electricity a century ago, broadband is a foundation for economic growth, job creation, global competitiveness and a better way of life.”

 

Requested by Congress, the plan of over 350 pages looks set to touch off intense lobbying by communications companies over legislation and FCC rules that will underpin the goals.

 

The plan was mandated by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act in February 2009 and produced by an FCC task force.