Not surprisingly, the FCC’s broadband plan [pdf, 11.5MB, 376 pages] is more inspirational than the disappointing executive summary suggested to me on my first reading Monday evening.
As an aside, I read that an influential thinker was quoted saying that Canada is being left behind because of a “failure of imagination.” I’ll simply agree with an implicit conclusion that Canada will benefit from progress in defining the national digital strategy, which was placed on this government’s agenda in the Speech from the Throne earlier this month. The inability to find details in the Budget should not deter us from expecting to see more in the coming months.
The Throne Speech set a broader scope than the mandate handed to the FCC last year by the US Congress.
The national broadband plan required by this section shall seek to ensure that all people of the United States have access to broadband capability and shall establish benchmarks for meeting that goal. The plan shall also include:
- an analysis of the most effective and efficient mechanisms for ensuring broadband access by all people of the United States,
- a detailed strategy for achieving affordability of such service and maximum utilization of broadband infrastructure and service by the public,
- an evaluation of the status of deployment of broadband service, including progress of projects supported by the grants made pursuant to this section, and
- a plan for use of broadband infrastructure and services in advancing consumer welfare, civic participation, public safety and homeland security, community development, health care delivery, energy independence and efficiency, education, worker training, private sector investment, entrepreneurial activity, job creation and economic growth, and other national purposes.
Contrast this language with the Throne Speech:
To fuel the ingenuity of Canada’s best and brightest and bring innovative products to market, our Government will build on the unprecedented investments in Canada’s Economic Action Plan by bolstering its Science and Technology Strategy. It will launch a digital economy strategy to drive the adoption of new technology across the economy. To encourage new ideas and protect the rights of Canadians whose research, development and artistic creativity contribute to Canada’s prosperity, our Government will also strengthen laws governing intellectual property and copyright.
Looking beyond the plumbing at what it takes to ensure leadership by Canadians in all aspects of the digital economy.
There are a number of reasons that Canada needs to look at a broader range of issues than our friends south of the border. Regardless, the resultant FCC’s plan is instructive. It should be helpful as a resource as Canada preserves its broadband leadership through a more comprehensive national digital strategy.
On Tuesday June 8, The 2010 Canadian Telecom Summit will be featuring panels looking at International Perspectives on ICT Strategies and progress on the development of Canada’s National Digital strategy.
Have you registered yet?