"The Next Generation Connectivity" - A new study on broadband from the Berkman Center

The Berkman Center for Internet and Society at Harvard conducted a thorough review of existing literature and studies about broadband deployment and usage throughout the world to inform the Federal Communication Committee in the US. The report is currently available online for public review.

As presented in the report, it includes the following parts:

• Part 1 is an introduction.
• Part 2 outlines current thoughts on “what is broadband?”—that is, how the target of the policy should be defined, and how the definition may reflect on policy emphases. It briefly notes current reasons given in other countries for emphasizing next generation connectivity as a policy goal.
• Part 3 describes their independent assessment of current benchmarking and measurement sources, and describes the results of their independent analysis and testing of benchmarks.
• Part 4 describes their findings on competition and open access policy.
• Part 5 offers an overview of practices and policies concerned with mobile and nomadic access.
• Part 6 discusses government investment practices, on both the supply and demand sides of broadband and next generation deployment.