[3] The Code of Federal Regulations says that this is the beginning of the next transformation in information technology, as we encounter the wireless broadband revolution.
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairperson Michael K. Powell created the Wireless Broadband Access Task Force to help bring the plan together.
[4][5] This is completed by seeking out the expertise, experience, and advice of consumers, state and local governments, the industry, and other stakeholders.
[4] Powell commented in a statement that this broadband plan is a catalyst for positive change, bringing resources and jobs to communities across the country.
In this plan, legislation is needed for the FCC to hold these auctions to enable the current spectrum holders to realize a portion of the revenues if they participate.
[2] One goal of the plan is to reduce the national deficit by approximately $10 billion through these license auctions and other business opportunities.
[1][6] There is also the idea to spur innovation by using $3 billion of the spectrum proceeds for research and development of newer wireless technologies and applications.
[6][10] President Obama also plans to increase public safety by reallocating the D block of the spectrum and $500 million within the Wireless Innovation (WIN) Fund.
After no more than 5 years of the implementation of the wireless network plan, the Commission must conduct a survey and submit a report regarding the public safety spectrum.
[3] In the 1950s, the town of Ten Sleep, Wyoming, had just set up their phone service using federal subsidies and stringing copper wire to every home.
[11] This scenario caught President Obama's eye in terms of success, which he hopes to duplicate with the national wireless broadband.
On February 10, 2011, he pointed to this example of what he wants to replicate and hopes it will help progress more economic development by providing Internet to almost all Americans.
George Ford from the Phoenix Center commented that a reasonable target for broadband would be 95% Internet availability to Americans in five years and questioned the need for coverage across the entire country.
As stated by Brendan Greeley, call centers and data storage facilities placed in smaller towns need the speed and capacity that a wired fiber optic network can provide.
[1] Next-generation technology is ten times faster than current speeds and is capable of benefiting all Americans, helping public safety increase, and further progressing the innovation for wireless applications, equipment and services.
Rules are to be established to permit a public safety licensee to authorize a service provider to construct and operate the wireless network.
[9] The supporting parties will also have to ensure the safety of the network by protecting and monitoring against cyber attacks and any other form of security threat.
A safe environment is needed for new capabilities to be secure, trustworthy and provide necessary safeguards for privacy of users and public safety.
[3] President Obama estimated a one-time investment of $5 billion and a reformation of the Universal Service Fund to help millions of Americans get access to these technologies.
Again, Obama proposes to pay for the wireless network by having broadcasters give back their privilege to the spectrum for government auction.
[12] In a report by George Ford at Fox News Channel, he stated that spending money on the last frontier of broadband has small incremental value.
Part of the national wireless broadband goal is to enable businesses to grow faster, help students learn more, and assist public safety officers with having the best, state-of-the-art technology and communications available.
[12][13] On February 10, 2011 President Obama was commended for his proposal on pursuing the plan with the idea that this would greatly increase jobs and innovation.
[2] The concept of the "last mile" is often brought up for Internet Service Providers (ISP) as they try to expand their network, often time having to stop before the last house on the block because of cost.
In 2006, the number of households passed over for high-speed Internet was 119 million, and over the past two years, the cable industry has invested $23 billion into their networks.
Both cell phone and laptops with wireless capabilities have increased Internet usage dramatically and have each grown more prevalent since 2009.
The deployment and development of wireless broadband as well as other technologies is critical to ensuring this reliable and ubiquitous service is available to Americans.
[3][12] Being able to have the instant availability to health records for doctors and patients, and being able to teach and be taught from anywhere in the United States is a concept some may never have considered, or thought possible.
The Commission for 9/11 has noted that our homeland security is vulnerable due to lack of interoperable wireless communication among first responders.
[10] Since this concept supports users having access to the information they want through the Internet, it raises the problem of consumers having limited options.