CHALLENGE

 

Timely, accurate, and trustworthy data on current and future deployment, adoption, and use of broadband connections to the Internet are essential at every step in the process of developing and implementing a National Broadband Strategy.  Good data are necessary to establish meaningful goals, to evaluate how well we are doing in meeting these goals, to adjust our policies appropriately if we are not, to ensure accountability, and to compare our performance with that of other leading nations in an increasingly competitive global economy.  Service providers and investors need meaningful data to make sound investments.  Users of broadband connections need good data to make wise decisions among available options.  The mission of the Working Group on Metrics was to develop as much agreement as possible on the nature, quality, and timeliness of the data needed for all of these purposes, and on how such data should be collected and disseminated.  

 

KEY OBJECTIVES

 

·         In cooperation with the Working Group on Goal identify the best criteria to measure availability, adoption, cost, speed, etc. in order to establish a current baseline and measure progress in reaching goals/targets. For example, should access and adoption be measured by household or population or both?

 

·         Analyze the strengths and weaknesses of the broadband data collection and dissemination practices in the United States and abroad.  For example, the Group should discuss the practices of the Federal Communications Commission and other federal agencies; the practices of international bodies such as the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development and the International Telecommunications Union; and the practices of other public or private organizations, such as Broadband Census and Connected Nation.  The Group should also consider changes to existing practices that may occur as a result of new laws or agency rules.

    

·         Recommend techniques to collect, analyze, present, and disseminate data on broadband connectivity.

   

·         Prepare for and participate in the Coalition’s event to be held in the Spring or early Summer of 2009, including designating speakers to present the report of the Working Group on Availability.   The Working Group on Metrics should strive to achieve as much agreement as possible on the matters identified above.  If the Group cannot reach consensus on any issue, it should describe the positions of the disagreeing parties, explain why consensus was not possible, identify any significant data gaps, indicate whether further steps or more time that might have resulted in further consensus, and provide a framework or guiding principles that decision makers should address in resolving these issues. 

 

·         Serve as a resource for other working groups.

 

·         Assist the Coordinating Committee and Conference Committees in planning the Spring Event.

 

MEMBERSHIP

 

Co-Chairs: 

 

Robert Atkinson (Information Technology and Innovation Foundation) and
Drew Clark (Broadband Census)     

 

Coordinating Committee Liaison:  Gary Bolles (Xigi)

 

Members:

 

Garn Anderson (Knight Center of Digital Excellence)

Kenneth Austin (Broadband Census)

Brandon Bullis (Clearwire)

Rich Clarke (AT&T)

Andrew Cohill (Design Nine)

Michael Curri (Strategic Networks Group)
Mark Hewitt (EcoSystems Partners)

David Hoover (CTIA)

Joanne Hovis (NATOA)

Karen Jackson (VA Off. Telework Promo. & Broadband Asst.)

Jim Krammen (Motorola)

Sherri McCuller (Peregrine Management Partners)

Raquel Noriega (Connected Nation)

Jane Smith Patterson (e-NC Authority of NC)

Chris Perlitz (Municipal Services Group)

Jean Plymale (EDUCAUSE and Virginia Tech)

Mitch Shapiro (Broadband Market Analysis)

Esme Vos (MuniWireless)

Ted Woodward (Telcordia Technologies) 

 

RELEVANT PORTIONS OF THE US BROADBAND COALITION’S CALL TO ACTION FOR A NATIONAL BROADBAND STRATEGY

 

The United States vies in an increasingly competitive global marketplace with Asian, European, and other nations that have recognized the transformative significance and competitive advantages of broadband.  Many nations have implemented national strategies that treat advanced communications networks as strategic infrastructure, and they are using a variety of policies and practices to promote broadband deployment and adoption.  These include tax incentives, low-interest loans, subsidies, public-private partnerships, competition policy, and many other forms of direct and indirect support by all levels of government.  Such measures have led to increased broadband availability, faster speeds, lower prices, and high adoption rates.  The United States should not ignore successful policies and practices from other countries, as it pursues a National Broadband Strategy that is aligned with our own unique history, culture, geography, and economy.

…

Assessment and Accountability.   Specific timetables and benchmarks should be established to help encourage successful implementation and advancement of national broadband policies, incentives or programs.  A system for regular and timely collection and publication of data concerning the deployment, adoption, and use of high-speed broadband should also be instituted to ensure that our national goals and timetables are being met.