The House Energy and Commerce Committee on Thursday approved a $6 billion broadband plan that would provide grants for those who build out high-speed Internet networks and require the government to maintain a public, online broadband inventory map.
The plan is part of an $825 billion overall economic stimulus package unveiled last week by the House Appropriations Committee.
“Broadband investments are important because they have a tremendous multiplier effect on our economy," Henry Waxman, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, said in a statement.
Under the plan, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) – the agency currently in charge of the DTV transition – would have two years to develop a map of broadband availability throughout the United States and post that data on a publicly available Web site.
NTIA would also be able to hand out grants to those willing to build out broadband service, wireless voice service, and advanced wireless broadband service. For wireless grants, 25 percent of the money will go toward voice services and 75 percent of the funds will be designated for advanced wireless broadband service.
To receive grant money, recipients building out broadband and wireless network must agree to open access standards. They must also adhere to the Federal Communications Commission's broadband policy statement, a set of rules that came under fire during last year's Comcast
The plan is part of an $825 billion overall economic stimulus package unveiled last week by the House Appropriations Committee.
“Broadband investments are important because they have a tremendous multiplier effect on our economy," Henry Waxman, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, said in a statement.
Under the plan, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) – the agency currently in charge of the DTV transition – would have two years to develop a map of broadband availability throughout the United States and post that data on a publicly available Web site.
NTIA would also be able to hand out grants to those willing to build out broadband service, wireless voice service, and advanced wireless broadband service. For wireless grants, 25 percent of the money will go toward voice services and 75 percent of the funds will be designated for advanced wireless broadband service.
To receive grant money, recipients building out broadband and wireless network must agree to open access standards. They must also adhere to the Federal Communications Commission's broadband policy statement, a set of rules that came under fire during last year's Comcast
