New NRRI Report Probes State Broadband Initiatives in California, Colorado, Maine, Minnesota and New York
BROADBAND BREAKFAST INSIGHT: This new 60-page report by the National Regulatory Research Institute (and which was founded by the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners), delves into the important state role in broadband deployment. It discusses the role of State Broadband Initiativ
BROADBAND BREAKFAST INSIGHT: This new 60-page report by the National Regulatory Research Institute (and which was founded by the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners), delves into the important state role in broadband deployment. It discusses the role of State Broadband Initiatives, including broadband mapping efforts, and discusses in greater detail the projects in California, Colorado, Maine, Minnesota and New York. It also includes a discussion about municipal broadband, and about broadband legislation in Maryland, New Hampshire, Nevada and New York.
NRRI 17-03 BROADBAND ADOPTION, from the National Regulatory Research Institute:
The Telecommunications Act charges the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the States with ensuring that all Americans have access to “reasonably comparable” communications services, including information services, at “reasonably comparable” prices regardless of where they reside.
Consumers in all regions of the Nation, including low-income consumers and those in rural, insular and high cost areas, should have access to telecommunications and information services, including interexchange services and advanced telecommunications and information services, that are reasonably comparable to those provided in urban areas and that are available at rates that are reasonably comparable to rates charged for similar services in urban areas. (Telecommunications Act of 1934, as amended)
As the communications ecosystem transitions from a voice-centric to a broadband focused environment, these “comparable” telecommunications and information services have become a critical issue for federal and state regulators. Full participation in 21st century society increasingly requires high speed access to the civic, educational, and health services often available only through the internet. This has made increasing the availability and adoption of broadband a key goal of both the nation as a whole and the individual states on behalf of their citizens.
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