Broadband & Internet Public Policy

It seems I am continually talking about public policy these days. I am in St. Charles, IL at the National Summit for Community Wireless Networks and it happened again. I thought I would only be soaking up wireless info. I ended up talking about the broadband & digital literacy public policy work we are doing in OH and discussing how to connect our efforts to national efforts. Excellent.

When one is at a Community Wifi Summit, what public policy topics does one actually discuss? Network Neutrality (we’re for it), National Franchising (we’re not for it), Legal restrictions on municipal networks (we’re against the restrictions). Why these issues at a wifi conference? Because they effect broadband deployment. Wifi is one method of broadband deployment. And considering the “its not profitable” argument from the larger broadband providers (telecoms and cable), wifi cannot be ignored. Municipal and community wifi networks are created in rural areas because they do not have a multitude of broadband choices. An excellent example of a community wifi in Ohio is in Chesterhill. The three issues above are in the 2006 Telecom Bill which is currently in committee.

So, how did this national group of wifi techies and advocates decide to cohesively take action regarding telecom and Internet public policy?

1. We asked the national coalition of media advocates to create a list of talking points and how they relate to the telecom bill. We asked for this list to help us when we reach out to speak to legislators.
2. We contact our local legislators.
3. Utilize the Social Text website to share info on broadband projects in each state.
4. Create a network of bloggers concerned with telecom and media access issues. Coordinate biweekly online forums to provide the bloggers with an opportunity to get up to date information from telecom and media access experts.
5. Create a council of Regional Organizers around the broad issue of Information Communication Technology which includes broadband, Internet use and digital literacy.