Policymakers discuss broadband networks

High-speed Internet connections in the state of Texas, or "broadband" connectivity, was the topic of a January meeting hosted by the LBJ School for the Office of the Governor and the Texas Public Utility Commission (PUC). Cosponsors of the event included AeA (formerly known as the American Electronics Association) and Technology Network, or TechNet, a national lobbying organization for the high-tech industry.

About 40 representatives of the computer and telecommunications industries in Texas, along with consumer advocates and government officials, discussed how to speed up the deployment of broadband networks in Texas. Industry leaders and policymakers view broadband as a key to reviving the high-tech economy, which has suffered huge losses over the past 18 months. Several high-tech organizations have made increased use of broadband one of their top public policy goals. Currently only about 10 percent of American homes with access to broadband networks have signed up for the service, which typically costs about $50 per month. TechNet announced a national campaign in January to get 100 million American homes connected to broadband networks by 2010.

LBJ School Lecturer Gary Chapman, who is also the director of the 21st Century Project, organized the meeting. This year, Chapman led a PUC-funded policy research project that focused on bringing broadband networks to rural Texas. Studies done by the Texas PUC show that about 94 percent of broadband customers in Texas live in urban zones. State policymakers have made universal access to broadband one of the state's top policy priorities. Students enrolled in Chapman's policy research project presented their preliminary findings at the January meeting.

Among the guests and speakers at the event were PUC Commissioners Brett Perlman and Becky Klein and the chairman of the state's Telecommunications Infrastructure Fund, Blair Fitzimmons.

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May 13, 2002

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