Broadband Last Mile Technology

尽管监管政策发生了变化，出现了新的技术选择，但围绕最后一英里宽带技术的部署仍然存在相当大的不确定性，宽带技术是连接家庭和小企业的纽带。进展缓慢，这引发了人们对哪些研究、政策和战略将加快部署并增加宽带接入可用性的疑问。这项研究考察了最后一英里的问题，将探索可能的情景，并分析技术选择、政策方法和商业模式之间的关系。这一分析将对负责制定政策的人有价值，包括联邦通信委员会(FCC)以及地方和州监管实体。联邦通信委员会目前正在执行1996年的《电信法》，面临着相当大的压力和批评；州公用事业委员会实际上更接近部署决定的后果。这项研究将为国会和其他评估1996年法案在促进创新的、有竞争力的当地服务方面取得成功的其他人提供见解。它还将帮助消费者和公共利益团体了解和评估当前和未来的技术选择。考虑到哪些技术、监管方法和商业模式可能占上风还存在不确定性，行业也将从这些方面的客观分析中受益。该项目的特点是将技术见解与政策和商业观点相结合。

Despite changes in regulatory policy and the emergence of new technology options, considerable uncertainty remains surrounding deployment of broadband technology for the last mile, the link to the home and small businesses. Progress has been slow, raising questions about what research, policies, and strategies would accelerate deployment and increase broadband access availability. This study examining last mile issues will explore possible scenarios and analyze the relationships among technology options, policy approaches and business models. This analysis will be valuable to those charged with setting policy, including the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and local and state regulatory entities. The FCC is currently in the midst of implementing the Telecommunications Act of 1996 and facing considerable pressure and criticism; state public utility commissions are literally closer to the consequences of deployment decisions. The study will provide insights to Congress and others evaluating the success of the 1996 Act in fostering innovative, competitive services for local access. It will also help consumers and public interest groups understand and evaluate current and future technology options. Given the uncertainty about which technologies, regulatory approaches, and business models are likely to prevail, industry also stands to benefit from an objective analysis across these dimensions. This project will be distinguished by its integration of technical insights with policy and business perspectives.