Effort to get tech-related provisions added to economic stimulus ...

Effort to get tech-related provisions added to economic stimulus package reached Las Vegas Wed. as U.S. Internet Industry Assn. (USIIA) used ISPCon to start its call for a national broadband strategy. USIIA Pres. David McClure told us that while multipart plan urged on President Bush was constituent of long-developed strategy to keep U.S. ahead in technology, events of Sept. 11 and possible recession made many provisions relevant for stimulus package. Computing Technology Industry Assn. (CompTIA) and its affiliated Alliance for Small Business Investment in Technology (ASBIT) also released what CompTIA spokesman called high-tech “wish list” for economic stimulus package. CompTIA and ASBIT wrote members late Tues., and like USIIA focused on such issues as broadband tax credits and R&D funding. “Deployment of broadband would add $600 billion to the U.S. economy,” McClure said, benefitting all of communications, “from satellite and wireless to cable and telephony.” USIIA broadband policy contains 10 points: (1) Deploy broadband Internet in every home, business and school in America by 2010. (2) Specify that broadband services are interstate and international to exempt them from state regulations. (3) Make reliability of broadband networks equivalent to telephony networks. (4) Make permanent federal R&D tax credit. (5) “Commit to economic policies that encourage investment in new and emerging broadband technologies, including wired, fiber optic, cable, wireless and satellite technologies.” (6) Require broadband network operators to allow access and nondiscriminatory pricing for independent ISPs. (7) Issue regulations that encourage investment in broadband networks through regulatory parity and “doctrine of laissez-faire.” (8) Ensure service in underserved areas through subsidiaries and investment incentives. (9) Make sure broadband is affordable by passing permanent moratorium on Internet access charges by govt. taxing agencies. (10) Continue support for the Commerce Dept.’s Technology Opportunities Program (TOP), e-rate and other federal programs.