THINK TANK: GOVERNMENT BROADBAND SUPPORT SHOULD GO BEYOND GRANTS

摘要

The government should look beyond the broadband stimulus grants and invest in higher-speed connections to fully benefit from Web applications, panelists said at an Information Technology & Innovation Foundation forum. Speakers underlined IP-based video as the central next-generation broadband application. They said higher speeds will enable "transformative new functionalities" in the health care, education, energy industries and more. Policymakers should consider extending financial incentives like accelerated depreciation or tax credits for investments by broadband providers in faster networks, said a new foundation report. Tax incentives specifically for network upgrades can go a long way toward getting service providers to invest in increasing speeds, said Stephen Ezell, an ITIF senior analyst and the lead author of the report. Decision-makers should also make adequate spectrum available, the report said. Meanwhile, communities should seek public-private partnerships with providers and not subsidize "expensive overbuilding" projects, it said. The report defined next-generation broadband speeds as at least 20 Mbps and upload speeds of 10 Mbps or more.