Position Paper: The Case For Universal Broadband Access By James Kim

Overview of Presentation Universal Access Universal Access Access to Broadband Access to Broadband Federal and State Laws Federal and State Laws Specific Services Specific Services How to Do it How to Do it Other States Other States Questions Questions

What is Universal Broadband Access? Providing affordable access to broadband for "all the people" in Washington State, including low- income consumers and those in rural, insular, and high-cost areas. Providing affordable access to broadband for "all the people" in Washington State, including low- income consumers and those in rural, insular, and high-cost areas.

Why Universal Access to Broadband Past 10 years we have experienced an “information revolution” (e.g., affordable personal computer, Internet, etc.). Past 10 years we have experienced an “information revolution” (e.g., affordable personal computer, Internet, etc.). Internet Access and digital delivery have become basic component of access to the justice system, government services, and human services. Internet Access and digital delivery have become basic component of access to the justice system, government services, and human services.

Who Has Access to Broadband? The average price of broadband service in Washington State is $60.00 per month (Comcast). The average price of broadband service in Washington State is $60.00 per month (Comcast). 40% of US household have access to broadband (Jupiter Media Metrix). 40% of US household have access to broadband (Jupiter Media Metrix). Over half (55.8%) of broadband users have household income of $75,000 or more (Online Insights). Over half (55.8%) of broadband users have household income of $75,000 or more (Online Insights). In Washington State, 54% of low income individuals have access to a computer in their homes but only 5% have access to broadband services (Washington State Legal Needs Study). In Washington State, 54% of low income individuals have access to a computer in their homes but only 5% have access to broadband services (Washington State Legal Needs Study).

Federal Laws on Universal Access to Broadband Section 706 of the Telecommunication Act of 1996: The Commission and each State commission with regulatory jurisdiction over telecommunications services shall encourage the deployment on a reasonable and timely basis of advanced telecommunications capability to all Americans…by utilizing, in a manner consistent with the public interest,…that promote competition in the local telecommunications market, or other regulating methods that remove barriers to infrastructure investment. Section 706 of the Telecommunication Act of 1996: The Commission and each State commission with regulatory jurisdiction over telecommunications services shall encourage the deployment on a reasonable and timely basis of advanced telecommunications capability to all Americans…by utilizing, in a manner consistent with the public interest,…that promote competition in the local telecommunications market, or other regulating methods that remove barriers to infrastructure investment.

Definition of Advanced Telecommunications Based on Section 706: Advanced telecommunications capability: The term 'advanced telecommunications capability' is defined…as high-speed, switched, broadband telecommunications capability that enables users to originate and receive high-quality voice, data, graphics, and video telecommunications using any technology.

Washington State Law on Universal Access to Telephone Services RCW (Revised Code of Washington) – Universal Telephone Service. RCW (Revised Code of Washington) – Universal Telephone Service. (a) It is in the public interest to take steps to mitigate the effects of these changes on low- income persons; (a) It is in the public interest to take steps to mitigate the effects of these changes on low- income persons; (b) advances in telecommunications technologies,…provide new and economically efficient ways to secure many of the benefits of universal service to low-income persons who are not customers of local exchange telephone service (b) advances in telecommunications technologies,…provide new and economically efficient ways to secure many of the benefits of universal service to low-income persons who are not customers of local exchange telephone service

Specific Services Available Online by the Washington State Justice System The Washington State Court system publishes appellate opinions, court rules, and local court rules on its web site, The Washington State Court system publishes appellate opinions, court rules, and local court rules on its web site, Numerous county and municipal codes from all over Washington State are published by the Municipal Research Service Corporation (“MRSC”) on its web site, Numerous county and municipal codes from all over Washington State are published by the Municipal Research Service Corporation (“MRSC”) on its web site,

Specific Services Available Online by Washington State Government Services Voting registration and election information from the Secretary of State is available online. Voting registration and election information from the Secretary of State is available online. Employment and unemployment information from Employment Security. Employment and unemployment information from Employment Security. Family law and child support forms and worksheets from Office of Support Enforcement and local courts. Family law and child support forms and worksheets from Office of Support Enforcement and local courts.

How is broadband best deployed Currently telecommunications services are regulated at the state level under federal authority. Cable services are generally regulated at local level, again with federal authority. Regulation and oversight of Internet services are still minimal and very fluid. Currently telecommunications services are regulated at the state level under federal authority. Cable services are generally regulated at local level, again with federal authority. Regulation and oversight of Internet services are still minimal and very fluid. Telephone universal service system in Washington State provides exemplifies the need for incentives and regulation to foster deployment and manage pricing. It may be up to legislative, administrative and the legal system to ensure equitable access and deployment of services. Telephone universal service system in Washington State provides exemplifies the need for incentives and regulation to foster deployment and manage pricing. It may be up to legislative, administrative and the legal system to ensure equitable access and deployment of services.

Other States Working on Access to Universal Broadband Service Iowa: New law (SF-368) funds broadband development through local rate increases. Revenue from increases must be used to offer broadband at affordable rates in wire centers where broadband isn’t currently available. Iowa: New law (SF-368) funds broadband development through local rate increases. Revenue from increases must be used to offer broadband at affordable rates in wire centers where broadband isn’t currently available. Kentucky: Kentucky Housing Corporation has listed broadband internet access among the inalienable rights of its low-income housing residents. Project approval criteria include points for broadband installation in new housing projects. Kentucky: Kentucky Housing Corporation has listed broadband internet access among the inalienable rights of its low-income housing residents. Project approval criteria include points for broadband installation in new housing projects. California: passed AB855 in 2003, which provides for a portion of revenue from cell towers on state owned land to be invested in community technology programs under their teleconnect fund. California: passed AB855 in 2003, which provides for a portion of revenue from cell towers on state owned land to be invested in community technology programs under their teleconnect fund. The city of LaGrange, Georgia: developed a partnership which provides free broadband connectivity for every resident and fosters use of the Internet for economic development. The city of LaGrange, Georgia: developed a partnership which provides free broadband connectivity for every resident and fosters use of the Internet for economic development.

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