Assessing the National Broadband Plan

Congress charged the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) last year with developing a national broadband plan designed to provide affordable and accessible broadband service. Among the stated goals of this mission was advancing the public interest in “consumer welfare, civic participation, public safety and homeland security, community development, health care delivery, energy independence and efficiency, education, worker training, private sector investment, entrepreneurial activity, job creation and economic growth, and other national purposes.”

On March 17, the Brookings Institution hosted a policy forum to assess the FCC’s plan and explore key questions, including: Does it achieve the objectives set forth by Congress? Does it advance the public interest? Does it provide affordable and accessible broadband? Blair Levin, who heads the FCC’s broadband initiative, discussed how the plan will modernize an important component of America’s infrastructure. Other experts evaluated ways to move forward.

Brookings Vice President Darrell West moderated the discussions.