Call Notes, 9/10: Universal Broadband, Prospects for Equity and Economic Development in '09 (Part 1 of 2)
GFEM's Media Policy Working Group Briefing Call, 9/10/08
NOTE: "Next Steps for Funders" follows the Q&A section of these call notes. We would like to thank Helen Brunner and the Media Democracy Fund for helping shape today's program and for supporting grantees in this area of advocacy
INTRO: Jeff Perlstein, GFEM's Media Policy Working Group
In
the 21st century, broadband or high-speed Internet is critical
infrastructure for the well-being of our diverse communities. A robust
Internet connection enables participation in telemedicine programs,
economic development opportunities, distance learning, civic
engagement, cultural access and much more. But the reality is that a
digital divide persists both within the United States and abroad.
We're concerned with policies and practices that can help bridge the
divide to ensure that all people have broadband access and know how to
make constructive use of this technology. Today's call and topic are
particularly timely – opportunities for forward-thinking policy will be
increasing in the near term as the political makeup in D.C. and many of
the states will be shifting.
Jim Kohlenberger, E.D. of VON Coalition, Senior Fellow at Benton Foundation:
A
United Nations report recently concluded that a broadband connection
today is as important as access to water. It is as important in our age
as the steam engine was to the industrial revolution. The United States
has fallen from 1st to 17th in the world in terms of Internet
deployment.
There is a huge broadband gap in the U.S. affecting multiple
populations – people in rural areas, the poor, African Americans and
Latinos - and these divides cut people off from jobs and other
opportunities. Internet access is about access to knowledge, news and
information. At least one major newspaper has decided to no longer
have a print version – it's now available only online.
Being connected is critical to being engaged in democracy. The 2006
elections were called the YouTube elections: viral videos like the
Swift Boat Veteran and the "macaca" moment changed the election. In
this current election, candidates' use of the Internet has completely
transformed the way campaigns are conducted – just imagine four years
from now.
In rural areas, broadband can be a cornerstone of economic
development. Many rural high school grads report feeling faced with a
choice of having to go away for a job or go nowhere. Broadband extends
job opportunities into rural areas and can connect small businesses
online. In the realm of arts and culture, broadband is providing the
backbone for new forms of production and distribution. It allows users
to access a wealth of creative content, regardless of your physical
location.
Broadband penetration in the U.S. is currently only at 50-60%. It's
clear that we can't rely solely on the free market to meet this
critical infrastructure need for all Americans. The Benton Foundation
has focused on a particular government program to address the problem –
the Universal Service Fund, the same program that was started by the
U.S. government in the 1930's to make telephone service universally
accessible. As a result of that program, 97% of Americans now have
phones. With only 50% of households today having Broadband access, we
need to transition the USF from analog/phones to digital/Broadband.
Unfortunately, the Universal Service Fund is broken and getting
worse. Benton has been working in coalition to bring pressure to bear
on the FCC, and we're making some good progress. There is some general
agreement in D.C. that $300M/year should go to Broadband deployment.
This would be the largest funding for disconnected people in a
generation. Now even FCC Chairman Martin agrees that some aspects of
the USF should address broadband.
But what's needed is a comprehensive strategy. We need a serious,
focused initiative from government. The free market will not solve the
problem.
Senator Obama has called for a comprehensive
broadband strategy. McCain's advisor is former FCC chairman Michael
Powell and they like the free market approach. Benton is working to
figure out how to harness key technologies to deal with pressing
societal issues – health care, jobs, environment, etc. Obama's plan
recognizes these as key issues as well. While the Federal governmentt
has shirked much of its leadership during the last eight years, a
number of individual states have stepped up to try and provide
opportunities for innovative solutions.
Julie Schwartz, Progressive States Network:
High
speed Internet has the potential to change the way we live, work and
play. The discrepancy between broadband haves and have-nots means at
least 20M people in the U.S. don't even have access to a provider.
States are now taking the lead on policy. We need to collect good
data on usage and access in order to be able to craft sound policy.
Some states are doing that already, and the Congress just passed a
positive bill focused on robust data collection.
Broadband
deployment councils are key strategic developments in numerous states.
Coordinated efforts between various stakeholders is necessary for
effective infrastructure development. A very effective model can be
seen in Washington State; Minnesota and West Virginia have recently
deployed such councils too. Still though, less than half of the states
have such councils.
Robust funding of community technology centers has been another
successful strategy to narrow the digital divide in many states.
Programs include support for independent media production and digital
inclusion outreach efforts. Washington State is again a strong,
example with millions of dollars allocated for digital inclusion
programs.
Q & A
Q: What about "white spaces"? With the
digital TV transition, analog spectrum will be vacated. Policy
advocates and businesses want to use the old analog "real estate" to
provide broadband service in rural areas.
Jim: Analog TV spectrum does a good job of going through walls and
across huge distances. These characteristics make it valuable as a
space for broadband. This spectrum will soon be available throughout
the country. It could be a huge opportunity to expand the availability
of affordable broadband. Not surprisingly, big telco providers are
opposed to opening up "white spaces", opposed to "freeing the
airwaves." They're using the same faulty arguments and scare tactics
as before when they were against Low Power FM – "there'll be
interference and planes will drop from the sky". Tests have shown
there is no interference. A related issue is the relative value of
licensed vs. unlicensed spectrum.
Q: What can funders be doing to prepare in terms of changes in policy?
Julie: Get involved in state level broadband adoption. There are statewide
groups working on broadband policy issues, with deployment councils in
many states. Contact us at Progressive States and I can help you find
those groups and get involved with them.
Jim: Always look to where the debate is moving towards. The
broadband issue has largely been seen as about "the pipes," but the
debate will change to how people harness and make use of this
technology. There are a series of grand challenges to be addressed in
our society and broadband can play a helpful role.
For example, global warming – we can decrease emissions and fuel costs
through telecommuting, telemedicine, etc. Studies have shown we could
be saving $2200 per person each year in health care costs if we move
more fully to broadband enabled technologies. What do we do with
this? How do we solve the grand challenges? Congress is now starting
to look at these issues. Look to where the debate will go.
Q: Is there any work that speaks to broadband access as a human right?
Jim: As many of you know, Article 19 of The Universal Declaration of Human Rights addressses the right of every person to communicate within and across borders using the technologies available to others. Practically speaking, there are many stories from across the globe demosntrating the importance of broadband
access in documenting human rights violations, such as
freedom of speech, but I don't know of much about broadband access as a human
right in and of itself. Look to the international community for more
of this frame.
Next Steps for Funders:
- Participate in Next Call, 10/9, 2pm EST - "Universal Broadband,
Learnings from Rural and Native America" -
Contact Jeff Perlstein at GFEM for the call in number. - National Broadband Strategy Summit – Scheduled for early '09, this national strategy session will help inform the new administration and Congress' policymaking. Needs additional funding and participation. Contact Jim Kohlenberger.
- State level work – Seek out a broadband deployment council in your state. Contact Julie at Progressive States.
- Fund advocacy and research – Contact Jeff Perlstein at GFEM to discuss options.
- Learn more – Visit websites of Benton, Progressive States, Free Press, GFEM, New America Foundation