FCC Chmn. Powell said ’the best way’ to increase broadband access...
FCC Chmn. Powell said “the best way” to increase broadband access for rural healthcare is to “to establish partnerships -- with our sister federal agencies and regional commissions; state, local and tribal governments; and industry.” Speaking at a U.…
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of Tenn. Telehealth Network luncheon Wed. in Knoxville, Powell “underscore[d]” his commitment to the Bush “Administration’s goal of making affordable broadband access available to all Americans.” He said he was committed to “continuing to pursue policies that improve the rural healthcare program, increase participation by rural healthcare providers and ensure that the benefits of the program continue to be distributed in a fair and equitable manner.” He said working through partnerships would help address “the funding challenges in bringing 21st Century telecommunications services to rural communities.” Powell said that at its July 8 meeting the FCC will take up “a number of items designed to directly benefit rural access to advanced services” (CD June 21 p9). He said in its rural services item, the Commission will consider “a variety of measures to introduce regulatory flexibility for rural licenses in order to promote facilities deployment and increase wireless access for rural consumers.” He said among the “contemplated changes” were “measures to increase access to capital, reducing a significant entry barrier for companies seeking to provide rural service.” He said the Commission will also consider an item that will “provide additional flexibility to operate wireless broadband in rural America.”