Policy makers have come to the realization that broadband is the infrastructure that will take this country into the 21st century. The issue has moved from “why do we need it” to “how do we get it”. Few dispute that a nationwide high-speed broadband network is desirable, or, that it will be very expensive to build. They also acknowledge that the benefits derived from such a network are far greater than the network owner’s bottom line. By all accounts, it will benefit the economy and the business of providing education, healthcare and government services to such an extent that it will pay for itself over time. So does broadband infrastructure warrant government investment, or not? Can the private sector do it alone? What is the proper role of government? With the announcement by the incoming administration and the Congressional leadership that the next big economic stimulus package would be focused on building infrastructure and job development, broadband advocates quickly stepped forward to remind them that broadband would be a great investment.

This seminar will explore the wide variety of proposals for how an economic package could best stimulate growth in the reach and speed of our current broadband network and create jobs at the same time. It will also explore what other barriers exist to ensuring the greatest possible uptake of broadband and how the government can mitigate those barriers.

For more information, go to http://www.netcaucus.org/conference/2009/preconference.shtml