President Biden’s American Jobs Plan is calling for a historic investment of $100 billion over 8 years to “bring affordable, reliable, high-speed broadband to every American”, including for the more than 35 percent of rural Americans who lack access to broadband at minimally acceptable speeds. The goal is 100% coverage. If approved by Congress, the plan would set off a wave of network construction.
In this interview, Gary Bolton, President, Fiber Broadband Association, shares his insights on the proposal and how it could be carried out.
2:42 – Is the $100 billion plan justified? Is there a way to calculate if this figure is warranted?
5:06 – Is there any evidence that communities with fiber broadband get an economic boost from the investment?
8:06 – Will the funding be directed exclusively at the last mile fiber connection or will it also include other necessary upgrades to metro and regional infrastructure?
11:09 – How will the plan be administered? Via the FCC or other government agencies?
15:07 – America values the competitive marketplace. Will there be restrictions or guidelines with this funding as to whether the networks must provide open access to other broadband providers?
17:46 – What does the timeline look like from proposal to legislation to Congressional vote, to actual project funding?
