Google Solicits Broadband Plan Ideas

Google is asking us to submit ideas for a national broadband strategy that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), led by chairman Julius Genakowski, is required to present to Congress in February 2010.In contrast to the broadband stimulus plan, a jumble of ideas hurried along by the twin necessities of economic stimulus and rural broadband deployment, there's actually enough time for us to come up with a reasonable plan that could serve the long-term economic and social needs of our country.

According to Richard Whitt, Google's Washington Telecom and Media Counsel:

Google has its own ideas about broadband, which are naturally as self-serving as they are cogent. Google suggests that the plan call for

That should make it possible for every American household to view YouTube videos to their hearts' - and Google's revenue stream's - content. More importantly, it will also make it possible for individuals in all parts of the country to have the same employment and educational opportunities, and for communities in far-flung regions to attract more employers.

Google is providing a forum for individuals like us to contribute ideas of our own, and vote other ideas up or down.

It's not just an opportunity for discussion -- it's a chance to see whether we can use online tools and technology to create a more participatory democracy. One of the challenges that government officials face in dealing with the public is the overwhelming volume of voices and ideas. The Digg-like technology employed by Google looks like a good way for the public to make their voices heard and also vet each others ideas, making it harder for a small but vocal minority to fill inboxes with a disproportionate number of emails and voice mail.

The quality of suggestions I've seen is fairly impressive, as you can see from a small sample taken at random:

And

Or this one:

Like any of those ideas? Go vote for them. Don't like them? Go vote against them, and offer one of your own.