FCC throws down gauntlet for 1Gbps internet in every state by 2015

US comms watchdog the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has issued a call for broadband providers and city halls to come together and create at least one community with access to 1Gbps internet speeds in every US state by 2015.

Julius Genachowski, Chairman of the FCC, said, “American economic history teaches a clear lesson about infrastructure. If we build it, innovation will come. The US needs a critical mass of gigabit communities nationwide so that innovators can develop next-generation applications and services that will drive economic growth and global competitiveness.”

To help communities meet the Gigabit City Challenge, Chairman Genachowski has announced plans to create a new online clearinghouse of best practices to collect and disseminate information about how to lower the costs and increase the speed of broadband deployment nationwide, including to create gigabit communities.

Speaking at the US Conference of Mayors meeting, Genachowski proposed working jointly with the US Conference of Mayors on the best-practices clearinghouse effort, and also announced that the FCC will hold workshops on gigabit communities.

Today, approximately 42 communities in 14 states are served by ultra-high-speed fibre Internet providers, according to the Fiber to the Home Council.