Announcing a new FCC.gov. Tell us what you think and help shape the future
FCC Logo - Return to the FCC Home Page  
 Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau
  FCC site map 
Skip Topics Links
history
did you know
the fcc n you
what’s that mean
games
games
choose your zone
grades k - 3
grades 4 - 8
grades 9 - 12
Parents Place
Satellite Learning Center

Logo and link to kids.us
FCC Logo    IN THE NEWS

image of speeding computer

In March 2010, the FCC delivered to Congress a plan to help make sure that all Americans can get high-speed advanced Internet service – otherwise known as “broadband.” Congress asked the FCC to develop this plan, and the FCC went around the country asking different groups of people for their ideas and opinions before putting the plan together.

Broadband Internet service lets you use the Internet and Internet-related services at much higher speeds than traditional modems, like a regular telephone line. There are many advantages to having broadband. Some of these are: your connection is always on, there is no need to dial-up your Internet provider, information can be downloaded into your computer at much higher speeds than with traditional modems, and you can go online without tying up your telephone. Even Elmo knows the importance of high speed Internet. Click here to see a conversation between Elmo and the Chairman of the FCC.

The FCC’s National Broadband Plan includes ideas on how to use broadband to help the economy grow, to help create jobs, to help educate children, to help protect the public and to help people participate in government processes and get in touch with government services. For more information go to www.broadband.gov.

The FCC’s Plan includes recommendations to solve these problems. The Plan suggests that America should work toward a number of goals, including:

  • Connect 100 million households to affordable fast broadband service.

  • Make sure every American community has affordable access to high speed broadband service.

  • Make sure that every child in America knows how to use high-speed Internet by the time he or she leaves high school.

  • Bring affordable broadband to rural communities, schools, libraries, and less privileged groups of people, who might not be able to afford it.

  • Enhance the safety of the American people by providing every first responder, like a fireman or a policeman, with access to a nationwide wireless public safety network that allows each person to communicate with people in other units.


   
Skip right Column Links
factoid header
On April 3, 1973, Martin Cooper made the first cellular phone call.

 

 
last reviewed/updated on 07/01/10 


Skip FCC Footer and Contact InfoFederal Communications Commission
445 12th Street SW
Washington, DC 20554
More FCC Contact Information...
Phone:  1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322)
TTY:  1-888-TELL-FCC (1-888-835-5322)
Fax:  1-866-418-0232
E-mail:  fccinfo@fcc.gov
- Privacy Policy
- Website Policies & Notices
- Required Browser Plug-ins
- Freedom of Information Act