PRACTICING WHAT WE PREACH: BUILDING RESEARCH SUPPORT FOR ROBUST UNIVERSITY BROADBAND Educause BPG Team Georgetown University CCT Program Spring Meeting – June 2003 Seattle Washington

OBJECTIVE  Deploy academic resources and talent to build intellectual support for robust growth and geographic penetration of university and research institution high bandwidth networks  Educate and persuade key constituencies and decisionmakers about importance of affordable ubiquitous university/research institution bandwidth

THE VEHICLE THE UNIVERSITY BROADBAND RESEARCH PROJECT

WHY?  Legislative and regulatory policy decisions (federal and state) profoundly affect cost of bandwidth to universities and research institutions  Needs of universities and research institutions are different in kind not just quantity from other large users of bandwidth – not well understood  Where go the university communities now, thus follow the masses  The promise of broadband applications and access for community learners cannot be realized unless the logjam is broken

HOW?  Two part plan:  Beginning Fall 2003, GU’s CCT Program will organize a graduate student seminar to produce research on university/research institution broadband issues. For example –  What is the role of high bandwidth networks in the formation and cohesion of research communities? Can this be measured via intellectual property produced at institutions with access versus those without?

HOW(2)?  The Communication, Culture and Technology Program is a uniquely well suited partner for this effort  Multidisciplinary graduate student-only program (est. 1995) that produces research on interactions between technology, especially communications technology, and culture and society.  Many CCT students move into policy roles in government and the private sector 

HOW(3)?  Second part of plan:  Periodic conferences that bring together  Graduate student presenters  Faculty presenters  Moderators and commentators from among the decisionmaking constituencies, for example  Congress  FCC  State telecommunications regulators

CCT Faculty Involved  Linda Garcia, Director of the Graduate Program in Communications, Culture and Technology:  Kathleen Wallman, Visiting Research Professor, CCT   And, we have a new Associate Provost at Georgetown!  Marjory S. Blumenthal Marjory S. Blumenthal Marjory S. Blumenthal

Possible Topics for Seminar Sessions or Conference Workshops Broadband transport technology today overview Broadband transport technology today overview Network success stories Network success stories  Regional Networks like NWVirginia and CENIC  National Networks in the US like Abilene  Networks that other countries have built like CanarieNet The evolution and importance of middleware The evolution and importance of middleware Advanced applications that rely on robust networks and reliable middleware to work Advanced applications that rely on robust networks and reliable middleware to work

Possible Topics for Seminar Sessions or Conference Workshops What are the national political/government issues surrounding broadband deployment? What are the national political/government issues surrounding broadband deployment? What are the regional/state political/government issues surrounding broadband deployment? What are the regional/state political/government issues surrounding broadband deployment? What are the cultural issues/impacts of broadband? What are the cultural issues/impacts of broadband?  Public Safety Issues  Digital Divide Issues

Proposed Relationship with BPG  September meeting at Georgetown will be the kick-off conference.  BPG discussions will contribute to priorities for research agenda.  CCT and BPG will collaborate on conference programs and seminar guests.  BPG participants will participate as mentors and resources in student research projects.

Proposed Relationship (2)  Research papers will be shared and discussed in BPG meetings.  Research papers will be published by GU and BPG.  Research will form the foundation of BPG’s communication strategy and outreach efforts to FCC.

Some Additional Considerations  We would like to get policy leaders to pay attention  See higher education as a resource; not as just another interest group whose interests have to be ‘balanced’  Exploit Michael Powell and other Georgetown leadership relationships  The BPG team met with J Scott Marcus/others at the FCC in April They asked us to come back. This program could become our ‘response’ to the FCC  Webcast in HDTV on Internet2  Mike Roberts suggested this would be a real test  Potential partnership with the Discovery Channel to broadcast (on their HD channel), and possibly do a story on Broadband

WHEN?  Now! Decisions are now pending before the FCC about regulation of broadband  Seminar will start in Fall 2003 and continue through Spring of 2004, Fall 2004 and Spring (A minimum two year track is necessary for a project of this sort.)  Periodic conferences will be scheduled based on common availability, starting with the BPG meeting at Georgetown in September.

NEXT STEPS  Feedback?  Organize the message to deliver to decision- makers.  GU CCT is prepared to proceed  Would like to attract some modest financial support for student projects  Educate institutions and decisionmakers about the opportunity afforded by the University Broadband Research Project  Gain support and participation from speakers, visiting lecturers, legislative staff, FCC staff