FCC’s Broadband Roadmap Revealed, Boiled Down

Remember that big old stimulus package Barack Obama signed shortly after taking office? A considerable chunk — $7.2 billion — is meant to ensure that everyone in the United States has access to broadband Internet. That’s obviously nowhere near happening, as the planning documents alone aren’t due until next February. But the FCC is shedding some light on the process until then, posting a timeline (PDF) for its efforts along with a venue for submitting public comments. And, in fitting with Obama’s penchant for new Web sites, Broadband.gov explains everything in greater detail. Later this month, companies will begin arguing for a piece of that stimulus package, and from there it’s all meetings until the FCC makes its decisions as to who gets what. Finally, at the start of next year the FCC will look at broadband plans in other countries for inspiration. If all goes to plan, we’ll all have blazing-fast Internet by — well, no one knows, exactly. But at least people will be getting paid. [via Ars Technica]