FCC Wants Broadband Providers to Put the Pedal to the Metal
That's just one of several goals outlined in the National Broadband Plan, though it's the one that's drawing the most ire from a handful of ISPs who oppose "extreme forms of regulation" by the FCC.
"This is a fairly unique event," said Paul Gallant, an analyst with Concept Capital. "The FCC really has never been asked to design a broad regulatory shift like this. Broadband is important and difficult because it threatens every established communications sector."
Naturally, the FCC feels different, and according to the agency's chief, Julius Genachowski, the proposal is a "win-win for everyone involved."
"We've certainly heard from a number of broadcasters who told us they think this is a promising direction and are getting ready to roll up their sleeves with us," Genachowski added.
Broadband providers are probably most concerned with the cost associated with the FCC's proposal, but should they be? According to ABI Research, global fixed broadband service revenue is expected to exceed $210 billion in 2014, up from $164 billion in 2009, and $145 billion in 2008. Those are global figures, mind you, but still a staggering amount of revenue. Even during an economic downturn, ISPs appear to be as financially strong as ever, at least in terms of broadband dollars.
There are many other parts to the National Broadband Plan, such as a $16 billion investment to build an emergency public safety system, a one-time investment of $9 billion to extend the reach of broadband into rural areas, ensuring that government buildings, schools, libraries, and healthcare facilities get speeds in the vicinity of 1Gbps by 2020, and more.
Ambitious, to say the least, but entirely "achievable," Genachowski says.
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That would be sweet to see... |
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Great balls of fire Genachowski! I'm voting you for president. |
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Would love to see everyone with 100Mb or greater connections. They just upgraded our lines here locally to support up to 55 Mb connections (up from 8 o.@) |
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I'm guessing Verizon will be the most happy with the announcement. Their FIOS network is literally years ahead of the competition! |
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Ummm... no... FIOS is not years ahead of the competition. There are many ISP's out there who have similar fiber networks and some who have superior networks. The thing to remember is that it's a constantly changing environment. ISP's are upgrading their equipment regularly. It is literally built into their daily operating budgets. |
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If you could give me a few examples which ISP's you mean and if their coverage is wider than FIOS... |
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You just gotta love Julius G. Atta boy! |
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/agree >> a one-time investment of $9 billion to extend the reach of broadband into rural areas Hurray! Someone needs to do something to help the rural guys out - the vendors don't seem to have seen any money in it. |
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Wow that would be nice all around I really cannot complain with my connection. No it is not gigabit, but from everything I can tell very solid. Anyway I see this as a major positive for the nation as well as what needs to be done. This is where the future is going, and everything will be available except for physical interaction, and that is either relative, and or can result in said. So this is where everything is going to go. Oh and if you wanna know how to make your wireless connection better make sure to pick up CPU this month if your not a subscriber (WHAT you don't subscribe to CPU), the have a good wireless optimization guide this month. My wireless was already optimized to a degree, but they have some awesome pointers. Sorry I do not have the desktop right now had some problems there. From some of the comments especially things like Verizon fiber being to of the game, that's not quite true. Google is trying to roll out gigabit fiber right now, as I am sure are some others at least planning for it. I would think Verizon, but don't have details on it yet. |
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I wouldn't be sad to see isp,s disappear and have an independent body set up by federal government downward directed and overseen by elected officials limited to a 2 term limit to oversee a national fiber network. Money from federal given to state than county and city starting in the most rural communities and working inward to the city's. |
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Hey who am I to stand in the way of progress? Do I hear 500mbps,, why shoot for 100mbps I say take the governor off and uncap this baby!!! |
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I'm glad things like this are happening. I remember a few years ago when the houses in our neighborhood had access to both Cable and the Internet, but a housing development just 10 miles away was restricted to access due to "expansion" issues in our area. |
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I say lets do it. 100mbps is a starting point. Let's roll this out this year. |
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Absolutely. Now that the Federal government has ensured that everyone in the country has affordable health care, the next logical step is to ensure high-speed Internet access. ...Oh. Wait. Never mind. |
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@ClemSnide..."Oh. Wait. Never mind." Ha-Ha! ISP's and Broadband providers will work against this initiative. If not publicly, then behind the scenes. They like being able to rip off people and charge outlandish prices for half-assed connection speeds. Why give up their gravy train? The current providers of RURAL internet access (Satellite Dish Connections) charge outrageously and their connections are latency plagued and slow. They'll tie you up in a two year contract with huge penalty fees if you cannot continue their service or if you move out of the area. This industry as a whole is broken in favor of corporations and they like it too much to change it. They'll fight any change. |
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