[1st-mile-nm] NATOA Calls for National Broadband Strategy

[Richard Lowenberg]

I continue to worry about the many calls for a national broadband strategy.  
Given the complex politics and powerful industry vested-interests and
influence, I fear that what we may get will be far from what we ought to
achieve.   I'm an advocate of local and state initiatives setting examples over
the next few years, to influence national strategies.

NATOA represents many loval CIOs and others involved in municipal, county and
state telecommunications.  Their following principles are on the mark.
rl
--------

NATOA ANNOUNCES ADOPTION OF BROADBAND PRINCIPLES, PARTNERSHIP INITIATIVES AND
ACTIONS
July 18, 2008

Alexandria VA. (July 18, 2008) ? The National Association of
Telecommunications Officers & Advisors (NATOA) has adopted and released formal
Broadband Principles encouraging the immediate development of a National
Broadband Strategy.  The ten Broadband Principles, created by a task force of
NATOA members, outline the critical need for widespread deployment of
next-generation broadband networks and necessary steps to achieve this goal:

    * NATOA calls for the immediate nationwide deployment of advanced broadband
networks.
    * True broadband requires high capacity bandwidth in both directions.
    * Fiber to the premises is the preferred broadband option.
    * High capacity broadband connectivity must be affordable and widely
accessible.
    * High capacity broadband requires open access networks.
    * Network neutrality is vital to the future of the Internet.
    * All networks and users have the right and obligation to
non?discriminatory interconnection.
    * Local governments must be involved to ensure that local needs and
interests are met.
    * Local governments must be allowed to build and operate broadband networks.
    * A variety of options must be considered to cover deployment costs.

?NATOA has dedicated extensive time and resources to national broadband
interests,? noted Libby Beaty, NATOA Executive Director. ?Our Broadband
Principles partnerships and actions are the culmination of these efforts. We
are thrilled to be involved in the evolution and progression of so many
opportunities sustaining public interest.?

http://www.natoa.org/2008/07/natoa-announces-adoption-of-br.html


-- 
Richard Lowenberg
1st-Mile Institute
P.O. Box 8001, Santa Fe, NM 87504
505-989-9110;   505-603-5200 cell
rl at 1st-mile.com  www.1st-mile.com

----------------------------------------------------------------
This message was sent using IMP, the Internet Messaging Program.