Sidebar: A Blueprint for Big Broadband

Available online at: http://net.educause.edu/

Most important facets: This plan focuses on building 100 megabits per second connections to every U.S. home and business; creating a Universal Broadband Fund to cover the upfront construction costs associated with a large-scale deployment (i.e., initial digging of trenches to lay fiber or deploying wireless antennas) and postulating that after these expenditures, the ongoing maintenance of the network wouldn't require annual subsidization.

Cost: EDUCAUSE proposes that the federal government provide $32 billion in matching grants - approximately one-third of the $97 billion that nationwide broadband deployment is estimated to cost.

Problems addressed: This plan would stimulate investment in broadband from public and private monies. The plan also focuses on the network's social benefits - telemedicine, public safety communications, e-government, distance learning, etc.

How will this plan help municipalities and local communities? The EDUCAUSE proposal lets municipalities bid directly for funds from the Universal Broadband Fund. The only requirements are: the bid winner must serve everyone in the area, charge affordable rates and build an open network.