The Federal Communications Commission opened proceedings Wednesday to discuss the creation of a national broadband Internet system that will reach every American.
The plan is due in Congress by Feb. 17.
The FCC is looking for comments on ways to keep costs manageable, effectively monitor the deployment of new infrastructure and, more expansively, "use broadband to advance consumer welfare, civic participation, public safety" and a slew of other national issues.
"If we do our job well, this will be the most formative -- indeed transformative -- proceeding ever in the commission's history," acting FCC Chairman Michael J. Copps said in a statement.
Congress mandated the FCC to come up with the broadband plan as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Also known as the federal stimulus package, the act allocated $4.7 billion to the Broadband Technology and Opportunities Program, a wide-ranging program of grants, planning and oversight of which the FCC's broadband initiative is a part.
The FCC plans to take suggestions through its electronic comment filing system at www.fcc.gov/cgb/ecfs.
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