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9.
Utah
10.
New York
The report also includes a section on
states that are considered “overachiev-
ers” when it comes to broadband. The
criteria for overachievers are divided into
two categories: 1) states without inher-
ent advantages in broadband such as
low population density or a population
that has low socio-economic indica-
tors or 2) states that may have low to
middling rankings but those rankings
would be lower if not for good choices at
both the public and private sector levels
to help the broadband environment.
According to the TechNet report, the
states that rank as the top overachievers
include California, Delaware, Indiana,
Nevada, North Dakota, and Oklahoma.
For a copy of the full report, case stud-
ies, and a further description of its under-
lying methodology, go to
.
org/research. The State Broadband Index
was conducted by TechNet Senior Fellow
John B. Horrigan, PhD, and TechNet
Innovation Fellow Ellen Satterwhite and
was underwritten by Cisco.
FCC Announces Major Effort to Increase Wi-Fi Speeds
O
n January 9, FCC Chairman Julius Gena-
chowski announced that the commission will
soon kick off a government-wide effort to in-
crease speeds and alleviate Wi-Fi congestion
at major hubs, such as airports, convention
centers, and large conference gatherings. This would also in-
crease speed and capacity for Wi-Fi in the home where mul-
tiple users and devices are often on the network at the same
time. This will increase and free up the unlicensed spectrum
available for ultra-high-speed, high-capacity Wi-Fi, known as
“Gigabit Wi-Fi,” by up to 35 percent. This effort will enable
higher data speeds, greater capacity, and improved HD video
distribution capability.
Genachowski said the FCC will take the first steps in Feb-
ruary to unleash up to 195 megahertz of spectrum in the 5
gigahertz band. This would be the largest block of unlicensed
spectrum to be made available for expansion of Wi-Fi since
2003.
Because the 5 gigahertz band is already used for other pur-
poses by both federal and non-federal users, the effort will
require significant collaboration with other federal agencies.
Genachowski committed the FCC to move expeditiously to
complete the proceeding.
The FCC has taken steps in recent years to unleash the
potential of next-generation unlicensed spectrum. Next-
generation unlicensed spectrum is in lower frequencies than
existing Wi-Fi and enables wireless communications to travel
longer distances, better penetrate barriers like walls, and
provide improved coverage over hilly terrain.
In 2010, the FCC provided for operation of unlicensed
devices in the unused spectrum between broadcast TV chan-
nels, called white spaces. Unlocking this valuable spectrum,
the commission said, is opening the doors for new industries
to arise, creating American jobs, and fueling new investment
and innovation.
As part of the effort to implement the world’s first incen-
tive auction, the FCC proposed to ensure that a significant
amount of low-band unlicensed spectrum recovered from TV
broadcasters will be available on a consistent, nationwide
basis for the first time.
FCC Launches Broadband Adoption Pilots
O
n December 19, the
FCC’s Wireline Competi-
tion Bureau announced
that it has chosen 14
pilot projects to advance
broadband adoption through its Lifeline
program. The projects will provide criti-
cal data and rigorous analysis regarding
how Lifeline can efficiently and effec-
tively increase broadband adoption and
retention among low-income consumers.
Located in 21 states and Puerto Rico,
the pilots will also provide broadband
for nearly 75,000 low-income consumers
who now lack service.
Robust, affordable broadband has
become essential to access jobs, educa-
tion, and economic opportunity. More
than 80 percent of
Fortune 500
com-
panies today, including Wal-Mart and
Target, require online job applications.
And students with broadband at home
have a 7 percent higher graduation rate.
But low-income households adopt broad-
band at much lower rates than the aver-
age household. Fewer than 36 percent of
families with incomes less than $25,000
subscribe to broadband at home, com-
pared to nearly 92 percent of families
with incomes over $75,000, according to
Telecom News
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