Comments on the Formulation of the National Broadband Research Agenda

Abstract

This paper responds to a call by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and the National Science Foundation (NSF) for public comment to inform the development of the National Broadband Research Agenda. We propose the development of a comprehensive national database on Internet access packages and pricing available to residential consumers. While some data exist on average annual spending on Internet access service nationwide, the level of detail is inadequate to use for research or to correlate with demographic factors that might affect Internet access. Aggregate annual pricing statistics also fail to detail any breakdown of costs, which may include monthly service charges, introductory pricing that changes over time, installation fees, activation fees, data overages, and equipment purchases. Moreover, high-level numbers do not allow researchers to evaluate the effects of competition in regional marketplaces. The formulation of a National Broadband Research Agenda presents an opportunity to create a robust database from which researchers, individuals and institutions could benefit.