Genachowski Extols Broadband at International Telecommunications Union

WASHINGTON, May 27, 2010 – Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski spoke about the United States’ broadband development and challenges regarding education at the World Telecommunications Development Conference in Hyderabad, India. He addressed the International Telecommunications Union in a roundtable discussion about the launch of the “Connect a School, Connect a Community” incentive.

Genachowski outlined the major goals of the National Broadband Plan, such as the 100 squared proposal and the need to increase the connections to anchor institutions.  He also reiterated the goal to increase adoption from 65 percent to 90 percent by 2020, with an ultimate goal of 100 percent.

He also spoke of the challenges all countries face in making broadband universal, such as providing for rural communities and low-income households.

In regards to education, Genachowski said: “It is hard to identify anything more important than education for our children, and no technological innovation in our lifetime has greater potential to transform education than broadband Internet.” He gave an example of a 15-year-old student from a low-income, rural area in West Virginia who discovered a rare type of star using data she accessed from her school’s broadband connection.

The chairman urged planning and objective-setting. He cited current United States objectives, including reliable funding, creation of online educational programs, and assistance and training for teachers.