WASHINGTON-House Democrats today proposed increased federal funding, tax breaks and an educated, skilled workforce to expand broadband deployment access using wireless technology and other alternatives. The three components are part of a new innovation agenda that takes aim at lackluster U.S. broadband penetration under the Bush administration well in advance of 2006 mid-term elections next year.
“Universal broadband-whether it’s delivered by Wi-Fi or Wi-MAX or hard line-will put all Americans, no matter where they live, no more than a keystroke or a mouse click away from the jobs and opportunity broadband both creates and supports,” said House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.).
With the United States ranked 16th worldwide in broadband penetration and having a weak national broadband policy, the Bush administration remains highly vulnerable to attacks from Democrats and telecom/high tech companies that contribute hundreds of millions of dollars to political campaigns.
In March 2004, President Bush called for universal affordable broadband access by 2007. House Democrats said they want to reach that goal within five years. The administration’s overarching economic policy has largely doubled for the White Houses technology policy, with officials content to limit tech advocacy to pursuing macroeconomic policies that they believe will improve business conditions for new and old economy firms alike. Moreover, the administration has largely deferred to the Federal Communications Commission instead of pushing an aggressive technology plan of its own.
Hi-tech executives praised the House Democratic plan.
“The Innovation Agenda focuses on the right issues for building on our nation’s competitiveness-from investing in basic research and development, expanding science and math education and broadband infrastructure, to creating a globally competitive business environment,” said John Chambers, president and chief executive officer of Cisco Systems Inc. “This agenda thoughtfully addresses how government can best play a role in improving our economic competitiveness by focusing on innovation.”
John Doerr, a partner at Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers and TechNet co-founder, stated: “This comprehensive innovation agenda will benefit every American-especially our kids. It is original, vital and desperately needed.”
The Bush administration was not quick to respond as it typically is on other politically sensitive issues.
Clyde Ensslin, a spokesman at the Commerce Department unit that advises the president on telecom policy, did not return a call for comment.
