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US broadband plan seeks $25bn in new spending
03 March 2010
The Federal Communications Commission is expected to ask for $25 billion, double earlier estimates, on its US national broadband plan
The Federal Communications Commission is to propose $25 billion of new federal spending for its national broadband plan, aimed at developing high-speed internet lines and a wireless network for emergency services.
It will also make suggestions about expanding the access to affordable internet over the next 10 years.
The FCC proposal will assign more airwaves for wireless broadband services, including a block of airwaves set aside for use by police and firefighters. It will also propose $9 billion in federal spending to bring broadband to rural areas faster.
It will suggest setting up a new broadband account in the federal Universal Service Fund, an $8 billion annual programme funded by phone bill payers which subsidises service in rural areas and for low-income citizens.
This marks a significant increase in the value of the estimated budget being put forward by FCC chairman Julius Genachowski. Last week reports suggested he would call for $12-$16 billion of spending on the programmes. GTB