US government promises $7.2 billion in funding for high speed SDSL broadband access
The United States government has announced it plans to spend $7.2 billion (£4.5bn) on broadband networks in the country.
The plan, which would see the creation of high speed networks in 17 states across the country, was announced by Vice President Joe Biden in December.
The scheme, includes the installation of SDSL broadband connections and aims to meet the growing demand for faster online access in the country.
Vice President Biden announced the first $183 million (£115m) in a speech in Georgia. Speaking at the event, Biden said:
“New broadband access means more capacity and better reliability in rural areas and underserved urban communities around the country.”
“Businesses will be able to improve their customer service and better compete around the world,” he continued.
The funding for the high-speed plan (which would include SDSL broadband connections for remote rural communities) is part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, a stimulus package introduced by President Barack Obama in February last year.
The United States currently ranks 15th in the world in broadband penetration, lagging behind a number of countries in Europe and Asia. The new broadband plan is designed to increase the number of US citizens with high-speed online access.
The announcement of this $7.2 billion package comes just two months before the Federal Communications Commission submits its national broadband plan to Congress. This nationwide scheme is designed to increase the number of individuals with high-speed broadband.