Also see the related Sac Bee story re lack of internet penetration and use in California, a state with the perception as a leader in tech.
http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/capitolalertlatest/022789.html

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is seeking comments on the development of a national broadband plan for our country (download the Notice of Inquiry). By February 17, 2010, the Commission will deliver to Congress a national broadband plan that seeks to ensure that all people of the United States have access to broadband capability and establishes clear benchmarks for meeting that goal.

In this plan, the FCC must:

1) Analyze the most effective and efficient mechanisms for ensuring broadband access,

2) Include a detailed strategy for achieving affordability of such service and maximum utilization of broadband infrastructure and service by the public,

3) Include an evaluation of the status of deployment of broadband service, and

4) Include a plan for use of broadband infrastructure and services in advancing a broad array of public interest goals such as civic participation, community development, healthcare delivery, energy independence and efficiency, education, job creation and economic growth, among others.

The deadline for submitting comments on this report is less than a week away, June 8th, 2009.

The Center for Rural Strategies, with the support of the Media Democracy Fund, has compiled instructions on how to comment.

To learn more about rural broadband principles and policy, download and read the paper prepared by the Rural Internet and Broadband Policy Group working group formed at the National Rural Assembly. And read the Broadband position papers of Main Street Project and Mountain Area Information Network, two Rural Assembly member groups.