[1st-mile-nm] Brookings on COVID & broadband

[Mimbres Communications]

Good overview, yes.

I fear for the 'fixes' that will likely come from RUS & FCC in the form of
more handouts to big telecoms.  The structuring of these programs,
including the rushed deployment of $20B in RDOF money before the 477 and
mapping fixes were even partially complete, effectively forecloses
participation by small providers.



On Thu, Apr 16, 2020 at 6:42 PM David Breecker [dba] <
david at breeckerassociates.com> wrote:

> Good thought piece from Brookings, echoing an idea I’m seeing a lot; any
> ideas on how rural areas and NM can figure out how to leverage this trend?
>
> I expect we’ll look back on COVID-19 as a wake-up call that broadband
> isn’t a luxury—it’s an essential utility.
>
> As policymakers respond to that call, they will aim to fill network gaps
> through public investment or tighter regulation (as in the electricity
> sector), and through a new suite of programs to boost subscriptions and
> distribute devices. We’re already seeing this happen, from internet service
> providers offering discounts
> <https://www.digitalinclusion.org/free-low-cost-internet-plans/> to
> school districts passing out computers and wireless hotspots
> <https://www.axios.com/hotspots-wifi-students-coronavirus-1a08db65-236b-43e8-a5e0-17429a07942a.html>
> .
>
> We can bootstrap interventions for now, but broadband only grows more
> important as society and the economy continue to digitize. My guess is
> we’re about to see a great wave of broadband policies—and it can’t come
> soon enough.
>
> https://www.brookings.edu/research/how-covid-19-will-change-the-nations-long-term-economic-trends-brookings-metro/?utm_campaign=Metropolitan%20Policy%20Program&utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&utm_content=86407569
>
> David Breecker,
> President
>
>
> *David Breecker Associates*
> *www.breeckerassociates.com <http://www.breeckerassociates.com>*
>
> Santa Fe Office: 505-690-2335
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> Skype:  dbreecker
>
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-- 

Kurt Albershardt  |  Mimbres Communications, LLC  |  575-342-0042
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