IfG.CC -
Institute for eGovernment

The FCC is expected to vote on a notice of inquiry and a notice of proposed rulemaking that would transition the Universal Service Fund (USF), which now subsidizes traditional telephone service in rural and other expensive-to-serve areas, to broadband deployment in those same areas.

Commissioners on Thursday voted unanimously to propose allowing the fund to pay for as much as half of monthly broadband access fees at eligible facilities, up from the current 25 percent. They also want to make dialysis centers and other acute-care facilities eligible for subsidies and include administrative offices and data centers in the plan, the Associated Press reports. Additionally, some of the money could go for construction of broadband networks--including wireless service--under the proposal.

The Federal Communications Commission has approved a $400 million program to expand broadband access to rural communities so healthcare providers there have the connectivity required to use electronic health records (EHRs), telemedicine and other health IT.

The FCC program comes on the heels of the Health and Human Services Department release of final rules that describe what providers must do to show meaningful use of EHRs to qualify for Medicare and Medicaid incentive payments.

The Federal Communications Commission and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration have joined forces to help advance innovation and investment in wireless-enabled telehealth devices, which can improve the quality of a patient's health and reduce healthcare costs.

FDA commissioner Margaret Hamburg and FCC chairman Julius Genachowski signed a joint statement of principles and memorandum of understanding at the start of a two-day conference, which began on Monday, to showcase a broad range of cutting-edge wireless medical devices as well as discuss issues affecting the telehealth industry.

"We believe that the National Broadband Plan will make it easier for doctors and hospitals to utilize electronic medical records, which will ultimately lead to improved care and better outcomes for patients," said Dr. Mohit Kaushal, Director of Connected Health at the FCC. "The Plan focuses on the growing need for greater connectivity and innovation."

As usual, the big sticking point is money.

In March, the FCC introduced the comprehensive National Broadband Plan. The FCC says somewhere in the range of 14 to 24 million Americans lack access to broadband internet connections. Most live in poorer, sparsely populated rural communities.

Set to be unveiled to Congress and the public Tuesday, March 16, the national broadband plan seeks to prioritize high-speed Internet as a "foundation for economic growth, job creation, global competitiveness and a better way of life," according to the FCC's summary report. The plan's recommendations could eventually trickle down.

"Given the large number of applications and the broad range of technologies proposed by applicants, it appears from this initial set of awards that the agencies are emphasizing fiber-driven networks as key to creating jobs and 'future-proofing' stimulus-funded projects," said Joe Savage, president of the FTTH Council.

In a move that could alter the broadband business and continues its advance into telecom, Google announced plans Wednesday to build an “ultra high-speed,” fiber-optics network for as many as 500,000 people.

The Mountain View, Calif., company, which already provides free wi-fi in its hometown, said it will offer connections with speeds of 1 gigabit per second – that’s about 100 times faster than most home connections. It also plans on opening its fiber-optic network to third-party providers, potentially giving users multiple choices for their ISP, or Internet service provider, and increasing competition for broadband service.

Nothing is simple when Google is involved, as the company's "Think Big With a Gig" experimental fiber-optic network announcement today once again makes evident.

Google Inc.'s plan to provide fiber-to-the-home connections at 1Gbit/sec. speeds -- that's 100 times what most American broadband users now get -- will have consumers salivating, but some experts say it's unlikely that Google will ever become a network carrier that regularly installs and maintains fiber connections.

So far, the search engine giant hasn't chosen the lucky target community or communities. But this week, Google launched its "Fiber for Communities" website to keep users up to speed on the progress of the project.

"We set up this site to thank you for your enthusiasm, to share our experiences as we move forward with our project, and to provide additional resources for anyone interested in ultra high-speed Internet access," the site said.

Google wants to reach almost half a million people and connect them with 1 gigabit per second (Gbps) Internet and provide this service at very economical prices. Google has already launched Google Fiber for Communities and it aims to encourage people to advocate the development of high-speed broadband network across the country.

The Web search giant announced last week on its official blog that Stanford University in Northern California will serve as the beta test site for the network before expanding the Internet service to at least one more community elsewhere.

Google expects to test "ultra -high-speed" networks, spooling out 1 gigabit of data per second -- more than 100 times faster than typical access -- in a small number of communities, the company announced on Wednesday. Google has issued a request for information to identify interested communities and said it welcomes responses from local governments and the public.

“Broadband service is now available to about 95 percent of Iowa households, which is fabulous, yet only about 66 percent of those households are subscribing to the service,” Culver said. “Further expansion and adoption of quality broadband service in Iowa will ensure the future of quality jobs in our state as well as continued economic competitiveness. High-speed Internet also offers citizens access to vital services like telemedicine, distance learning, and e-government that can improve all Iowans’ quality of life.”

McSlarrow wrote to express NCTA’s enthusiastic support for the broadband stimulus programs, while informing lawmakers of the group’s preferred direction for grant programs.

The Lingle-Aiona Administration worked collaboratively with the Hawai‘i Broadband Task Force, key members of the House and Senate, and industry representatives to introduce measures (SB895 / HB1077) that focus on the communications infrastructure necessary to make Hawai‘i a leader in education, science, technology, and business.