Obama Likens Broadband To Electricity, Rails In Michigan Speech

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Jonathan Charnitski, Managing Editor, BroadbandBreakfast.com

WASHINGTON, February 10, 2011 – President Obama drew comparisons between high-speed Internet, the railroads and the electric grid during a speech in Marquette, Michigan on Thursday afternoon, commenting on their essential nature to the economy and calling for a renewed investment in broadband infrastructure.

The administration’s Wireless Innovation and Infrastructure Initiative (WIII) comes on the heels of the President’s State of the Union address last month, during which he pledged to facilitate high-speed wireless networks that reach 98 percent of Americans.  The program also aims to free up radio spectrum to alleviate an impending spectrum crunch, create a nationwide interoperable wireless network for public safety and drive innovation in the wireless broadband sector.

“When it comes to high-speed internet, the lights are still off in one-third of our households,” Obama said in his address at Northern Michigan University, referring to the 35 percent of Americans who do not have broadband Internet connections in their homes.  “For millions of Americans, the railway hasn’t come yet.”

The President highlighted the successes the remote town on the northern shores of Michigan’s upper peninsula, 300 miles outside of Milwaukee, has had developing industry as a result of its high-speed wireless network.  That network, developed by Northern Michigan University in cooperation with private companies, provides access to local public safety, schools and government as well as the public.

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What I say is why only 98%?  Why should not the government facilitate 100% broadband penetration?  Note the keyword “facilitate” not provide or insure.  The administration through the FCC should work to promote competition though eliminating legal barriers for anyone that wants to build a broadband network in addition to freeing spectrum.  Over 60% of the 35% of the people that do not have broadband say they cannot afford it.  If policies promoted competition, then that 60% figure would drop and government would not have to subsidize as many subscribers.  Everyone wins.

Mr. Obama’s anecdotes are continued validation of the economic vitality broadband networks can bring to a community.  Small town America can continue to exist and even grow when people are connected. The network build in northern Michigan one of many examples where the stakeholders have come together to build infrastructure that the incumbent providers found not economically feasible. The current administration needs to foster policies to promote all kinds of partnerships across the country, not necessarily throw money at it.

Related articles

• Obama commits billions for wireless networks (cbc.ca)
• High-speed wireless access for entire US will spark innovation, Obama says – Christian Science Monitor (news.google.com)
• Obama: “Connecting Every Corner of America to the Digital Age” (slashgear.com)