Brookings: Topics - Broadband Policy

Improving Broadband Innovation and Investment

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 14:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

November 09, 2009, 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM

Broadband and wireless technologies are key elements of our nation’s economic, social and civic development. With the Federal Communications Commission’s stated goals of bringing broadband access to all Americans, it is crucial to determine how to be innovative when investing in broadband infrastructure. On November 9, the Brookings Institution hosted a policy forum to examine this issue and to discuss ways to overcome barriers to developing this infrastructure.

FCC Chairman Proposes New Net Neutrality Plans

Mon, 21 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski announced his plan to expand “net neutrality” rules for Internet providers. The chairman advocated an anti-discrimination rule that would prevent Internet providers from blocking or slowing the utilization of competing services, and a transparency rule that would require providers disclose how they manage traffic, writes Darrell West.

FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski on Improving Broadband and Mobile Communications

Mon, 21 Sep 2009 10:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

September 21, 2009, 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM

Recognizing the need to expand the U.S. broadband network to ensure America’s infrastructure and economic development, Congress tasked the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) with developing a national broadband plan by early 2010. FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski delivered remarks at Brookings on the national broadband plan and other communications issues.

What Consumers Want From Mobile Communications

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

In the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, Congress tasked the FCC with developing a national broadband policy by February 17, 2010 to boost our nation’s communications infrastructure and long-term economic development. Darrell West explores in a new study what consumers want from new mobile communications in the United States, Spain, United Kingdom, and Spain and how these results demonstrate the virtue of innovation and open networks for communications policy.

Cape Cod and Southeastern Massachusetts Modernize with New Broadband Infrastructure: Advancing Regional Connectivity

Fri, 31 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

To modernize the communications infrastructure in Southeastern Massachusetts, a regional public-private partnership is pursuing ARRA funds to install hundreds of miles of fiber optic cable and create a shared, multi-purpose regional data center.

Losing Our Technology Advantage

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

E-government expert Darrell West encourages the United States to invest more in its technology infrastructure. Once on the cutting edge of technological innovation and access, the United States now lags behind other industrialized nations. West recommends tax credits for private-sector research and development, greater support for higher education, and adult training programs that help workers transition to a 21st century economy.

The Untapped Promise of Wireless Spectrum

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The public "airwaves," or the radio spectrum, are a tremendously valuable asset that remains partially untapped by entrepreneurs and users. In a discussion paper for the Hamilton Project, Philip J. Weiser discusses how to expand access to wireless spectrum to bring more households internet access.

An Economic Strategy for Investing in America's Infrastructure

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Infrastructure investment has received more attention in recent years because of increased delays from road and air congestion, high-profile infrastructure failures, and rising concerns about energy security and climate change. Manasi Deshpande and Doug Elmendorf discuss a strategy for America to increase investment in physical and telecommunications infrastructure to spur a more prosperous economy.

Bringing Broadband to Unserved Communities

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Roughly one-third of households in rural America cannot subscribe to broadband Internet services at any price. In a discussion paper for The Hamilton Project, John M. Peha discusses expanding broadband service to rural communities to expend technological infrastructure and promote economic growth.

Extending Deregulation

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 17:10:42 GMT

Few industries remain subject to classic economic regulation in the United States. Senior Fellow Robert Crandall says the next president should help remove some of the controls left on these industries in order to help promote economic expansion.

Telecom Time Warp

Wed, 11 Jul 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Robert Crandall and Hal Singer argue that, eventually, either the FCC or the courts will realize that regulating competitive telecommunications networks for the benefit of select content providers is not in the interest of American consumers.

The Effects of Broadband Deployment on Output and Employment: A Cross-sectional Analysis of U.S. Data

Fri, 01 Jun 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Robert Crandall, William Lehr and Robert Litan discuss how high-speed internet access has developed rapidly in the last decade and is increasingly viewed as essential infrastructure for our global information economy.

Extending Deregulation: Make the U.S. Economy More Efficient

Wed, 28 Feb 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Since the 1970s, deregulation has succeeded in increasing overall economic welfare and sharply reducing prices, generally by about 30 percent, for transportation—including air travel, rail transportation, and trucking—and for natural gas and telecommunications. Few industries remain subject to classic economic regulation in the United States.

Economists' Statement on U.S. Broadband Policy

Wed, 15 Mar 2006 00:00:00 GMT

In this statement, a group of economists make the following recommendations to improve the competitive provision of broadband services.

Charles Ferguson and the "Broadband Problem"

Sat, 15 May 2004 00:00:00 GMT

Robert W. Crandall discusses Charles Ferguson’s book that advocates a major increase in government intervention in the U.S. market for high-speed, "broadband" Internet services.

Bandwidth for the People

Sat, 15 May 2004 00:00:00 GMT

Robert W. Crandall, Robert W. Hahn, Robert E. Litan, and Scott Wallsten discuss the important distinction between the economical and the uneconomical provision of broadband.

Broadband Policy and the Future of American Information Technology

Wed, 28 Apr 2004 00:00:00 GMT

Testimony of Charles H. Ferguson (04/28/04)

The Broadband Problem : Anatomy of a Market Failure and a Policy Dilemma

Fri, 16 Apr 2004 00:00:00 GMT

As the Internet revolution continues to unfold and transform telecommunications, pressure is building for faster, less expensive, and more widely accessible broadband service. This new book analyzes the markets and policy issues underlying the broadb

Debating U.S. Broadband Policy: An Economic Perspective

Sat, 01 Mar 2003 00:00:00 GMT

Policy Brief #117 by Robert W. Crandall (March 2003)

Broadband : Should We Regulate High-Speed Internet Access?

Mon, 13 Jan 2003 00:00:00 GMT

There is widespread concern in the telecommunications industry that public policy may be impeding the continued development of the Internet into a high-speed communications network. Broadband policy is controversial in large part because of the diffe

The U.S. Broadband Problem

Mon, 01 Jul 2002 00:00:00 GMT

Policy Brief #105, by Charles H. Ferguson (July 2002)

The United States Broadband Problem: Analysis and Policy Recommendations

Fri, 31 May 2002 00:00:00 GMT

Working Paper by Charles Ferguson, Nonresident Senior Fellow, the Brookings Institution, May 31, 2002

Broadband Policy: Do We Really Need Legislation?

Mon, 18 Mar 2002 10:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

March 18, 2002, 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM

Law and Policy in the Age of the Internet

Thu, 15 Feb 2001 00:00:00 GMT

Robert E. Litan touches on some of the Internet challenges and how they might be resolved.