Policy Update: Where Will the Regulators Fall? Jeff Kuhns, The Pennsylvania State University Garret Sern, EDUCAUSE

A Cold Splash of Water: Meeting the FCC  The BPG Steering Committee Met with FCC Staffers on April 29, 2003  Purpose of the meeting was to start a dialogue with the Commission…..  But, did we miss an opportunity to tell our story?  Mixed reviews from both sides as to effectiveness and next steps

FCC Staff Questions  Who do you represent?  What is YOUR definition of bandwidth?  Why don’t you go to your state legislators and public utility commissions?  Have you filed comments?  Do universities bandwidth needs really reflect most Americans?

Where Does Gary Go To Tell His Story?

FCC Opportunities  Recent Triennial Review Split Decision  Section 706 Proceedings  Recent Broadband over Power lines NOI  Follow-Up to April Meeting

Triennial Review Split Decision  Commission’s Decision Divided into two main sections: 1. Unbundling of Voice Services 2. Unbundling of Broadband Services  Minimal Impact on higher education for voice services. What about Broadband?  FCC staff late in producing actual order

Section 706 Proceedings  Third Report on Availability of High-Speed and Advanced Services Issued Feb  Advanced Telecommunications Capacity Being Deployed in a “reasonable and timely manner”  FCC Released Summary Statistics from facilities-based providers  Next Inquiry Expected in August, 2003

Broadband Over Power Line NOI  Commission Viewing BPL as Additional Means for “last-mile” delivery of broadband and competitive alternative to DSL and cable modem services  Addresses Two Types of BPL 1. Access – uses medium voltage (1-4K) to bring Internet and broadband applications to homes and offices. 2. In-House – uses existing electric utility wiring to network computers, printers and small appliances within a building

BPL NOI Questions  What is the current state of high speed BPL technology? What data transmission speeds can Access BPL systems achieve?  Would there be interoperability between standards without the need for additional equipment?  What are the interference effects on third party users?  Are any changes needed in the regulations governing power line carrier systems?

NOI BPL Questions  What standardized transport and data link protocols are typically used between a user’s personal computer, and the Internet point of presence, over Access BPL systems?  Other matters pertinent to BPL technology? How should BPL services be classified?

Is there something the administration ought to be doing to help broadband development? -Roll Call to Senator John McCain February 24, 2003

If they had a proposal that they would come forward with, I think it might be something we could work on. But again, I continue to see this gridlock on particularly telecommunications issues because one, so much money, and two, the issues are so poorly understood by most Members. This is evolving technology. Five years ago, broadband wasn’t part of our vocabulary. - Senator John McCain

And in the real world ….  Only 50% of the nation’s most sparsely populated communities have a broadband provider servicing customers, as opposed to 99% in the most densely populated communities. - “Broadband in the States 2003”, American Electronics Association

“For some of those who use that 56K connection on a regular basis, though, it apparently isn’t so bad. In fact, many dial-up users – a full 57 percent – say they don’t care about upgrading to broadband.” -CNN.COM May 21, 2003

Recent Advocacy & Other Opportunities  Mark Luker Addressed NARUC Broadband Summit II in Washington, DC  Promote Relationships Beyond NSF – NIH, OSTP, DoEd, NTIA, DHS  Share stories with State Legislators and Regulators “One Gigabit or Bust” “One Gigabit or Bust” E-Corridors E-Corridors

Future Directions  Define “broadband” and Why Our Definition is Accurate for Future, Long-Term Economic Growth  Partner with Industry Groups that Share Our Vision  Showcase Applications Requiring this Level of Broadband  Recruit Congressional Champions  Provide a “National Blueprint” for Broadband Deployment  Should We Push for Universal Broadband Service?

For More Information Jeff Kuhns: Garret Sern: EDUCAUSE Federal Policy Resources: resources.asp

All It Takes Is a Little Push