February 2008 Archives

Richard Alley, Penn State Evan Pugh Professor in Earth and Mineral Sciences uses an interesting example when talking about the effects of driving on carbon dioxide output. He says that the average fill-up takes about 16 gallons which weighs about 100 pounds, and asks what the effect on driving would be if we had to carry that gas in one gallon cans from the gas station to our cars?

Put another way though he is really talking about the conveniences of infrastructure, in this case the distribution system built around petroleum refining. Like most of our infrastructure systems this one is easily available to everyone, and through this access and ease of use, our nation has benefited.

Why is it then that what is arguably becoming our most critical infrastructure for economic development and sustaining our innovation leadership, broadband communications infrastructure, is left to chance, or rather the chances of the marketplace?

The petroleum industry has been aided by governmental investment in highways. Federal, state and local investments in water systems, sewage systems, and air travel have benefited all. Shouldn't a similar approach be used for deploying and aiding subscription to broadband infrastructure?

Educause, a nonprofit association whose mission is to advance higher education by promoting the intelligent use of information technology, has released a proposal for a national policy on broadband communications infrastructure. Calling for combined federal, state and private investments, it suggest that for $100 Billion, fiber infrastructure could be installed to all homes. The federal investment to do this will require $8 B for each of four years.

This is a considerable sum but the benefits are enormous. The investment is for a limited amount of time yet the benefits will accrue for decades.

The proposal entitled, "A Blueprint for Big Broadband", can be found at
http://www.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/EPO0801.pdf .