BARACK OBAMA: CONNECTING AND EMPOWERING ALL AMERICANS
THROUGH TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION
“Let us be the generation that reshapes our economy to compete in the digital age. Let's set high standards
for our schools and give them the resources they need to succeed. Let's recruit a new army of teachers, and
give them better pay and more support in exchange for more accountability. Let's make college more
affordable, and let's invest in scientific research, and let's lay down broadband lines through the heart of inner
cities and rural towns all across America.”
[Presidential Announcement Speech in Springfield, IL 02/10/07]
Deploy Next-Generation Broadband: Barack Obama believes that America should lead the world in
broadband penetration and Internet access. As a country, we have ensured that every American has access to
telephone service and electricity, regardless of economic status, and Obama will do likewise for broadband
Internet access.
http://www.barackobama.com/pdf/issues/technology/Fact_Sheet_Innovation_and_Technology.pdf
Full broadband penetration can enrich democratic discourse, enhance competition, provide
economic growth, and bring significant consumer benefits. Moreover, improving our infrastructure will foster
competitive markets for Internet access and services that ride on that infrastructure. Obama believes we can get
true broadband to every community in America through a combination of reform of the Universal Service Fund,
better use of the nation’s wireless spectrum, promotion of next-generation facilities, technologies and
applications, and new tax and loan incentives. Specifically, Obama proposes the following policies to restore
America’s world leadership in this arena:
• Redefine “broadband:” The Federal Communications Commission today defines “broadband” as an
astonishingly low 200 kbps. This distorts federal policy and hamstrings efforts to broaden
broadband access. Obama will define “broadband” for purposes of national policy at speeds
demanded by 21st century business and communications.
• Universal Service Reform: Obama will establish a multi-year plan with a date certain to change the
Universal Service Fund program from one that supports voice communications to one that supports
affordable broadband, with a specific focus on reaching previously un-served communities.
• Unleashing the Wireless Spectrum: Obama will confront the entrenched Washington interests that
have kept our public airwaves from being maximized for the public’s interest. Obama will demand a
review of existing uses of our wireless spectrum. He will create incentives for smarter, more
efficient and more imaginative use of government spectrum and new standards for commercial
spectrum to bring affordable broadband to rural communities that previously lacked it. He will
ensure that we have enough spectrum for police, ambulances and other public safety purposes.
• Bringing Broadband to our Schools, Libraries, Households and Hospitals: Obama will recommit
America to ensuring that our schools, libraries, households and hospitals have access to next
generation broadband networks. He will also make sure that there are adequate training and other
supplementary resources to allow every school, library and hospital to take full advantage of the
broadband connectivity.
• Encourage Public/Private Partnerships: Obama will encourage innovation at the local level through
federal support of public/private partnerships that deliver real broadband to communities that
currently lack it. |
