The Federal Communications Commission has released the long-awaited national blueprint for broadband. Development of the plan comes as a direct result of the Recovery Act. Initial review of the plan shows an appreciation for the role local communities play in ensuring broadband access.
For example, the report recommends that states get out of the way of locals who want to develop municipal broadband networks. Recommendation 8:19 specifically states that "Congress should make clear that Tribal, state, regional and local governments can build broadband networks." This could have positive implications for Michigan as our 2006 telecommunications act makes it very difficult for locals to move ahead in this area.
Local concerns over possible recommendations regarding rights-of-way were heard as well. Over the last couple of weeks, a fear had arose that among its recommendations, the plan would spell out a federal standard for calculating compensation for use of rights-of-way. Thankfully that is not the case. Rather, the report calls for the creation of an intergovernmental task force of federal, state, local and tribal officials to examine current rights-of-way practices and develop a best practices guide.
The League will continue work with our national partners such as NATOA, NLC, USCOM and NACO to ensure our voices are heard on the task force, the FCC plan is, after an initial review, a good start on continuing the effort to bring broadband to communities across the country.
Arnold Weinfeld covers federal issues for the Michigan Municipal League. He can be reached at 517-908-0304 or by e-mail.
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