FCC wants independent data on broadband internet deployments
August 7, 2009
The Federal Communications Commission, in preparation for developing a National Broadband Plan, has recruited an independent research group - the Columbia Institute for Tele-Information (CITI) - to research broadband deployments by internet service providers (ISP).
CITI, based at the Columbia Business School in New York, will serve as an outside expert in reviewing projected deployment of new and upgraded networks, FCC announced.
What FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski is looking for is an analysis of the public statements of ISPs as to their future plans to deploy and upgrade broadband networks and a comparison of what ISPs have previously announced and actual deployment.
This suggests that Genachowski is interested in finding out just how much ISPs are making on their investments and whether it's been a good deal for consumers.
The use of independent data (not from the ISPs themselves) will drive decision-making about broadband internet and the National Broadband Plan, Genachowski said.
"Too often, the debates over internet policy have been driven by narrow agendas, with facts used selectively as ammunition rather than enlightenment," said Eli Noam, the director of CITI and a Columbia Business School professor.
By focusing on data analysis of investment plans and deployment figures of upgraded broadband infrastructure, the FCC can "change the past culture" and develop a National Broadband Plan grounded in facts, Noam said.
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