FCC outlines future broadband plan

The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has released its plan to expand broadband access in the US.

The FCC said that the National Broadband Plan, which was submitted to Congress on Monday, would aim to expand internet access to 100 million households, roughly 90 per cent of US citizens.

The plan will provide a national ISP service which would offer discounted 100Mbps internet service to low income households and rural areas currently without a broadband service offering.

Additionally, the plan would provide 1 Gbps internet connections for schools, hospitals and military bases as well as a national security alert system for first response workers.

"The National Broadband Plan is a 21st century roadmap to spur economic growth and investment, create jobs, educate our children, protect our citizens, and engage in our democracy," said FCC chairman Julius Genachowski.

"It’s an action plan, and action is necessary to meet the challenges of global competitiveness, and harness the power of broadband to help address so many vital national issues."

Along with the broadband network, the plan also calls for the establishment of roughly 500Mhz of wireless spectrum to be offered for public use.

The commission said that the money for the new services would come from the roughly $6bn tabbed for broadband improvements as part of the President's 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.