The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) invites local officials to comment on a National Broadband Policy currently being developed. Comments are due Feb.17, 2010. The policy is being developed as the National Telecommunications Information Administration and USDA work to make decisions on the broadband funding included in the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) of 2009. Broadband initiatives funded through ARRA are intended to accelerate broadband deployment in unserved, underserved, and rural areas and to strategic institutions that are likely to create jobs or provide significant public benefits.

At the fall meeting of the National League of Cities' Information Technology and Communications Committee, FCC requested input from local officials on questions such as:

1. How can broadband increase the efficiency of government?

2. How can we create a clearinghouse of best practices to show what works?

3. How can we foster creation of a broadband policy for government services?

4. How can we foster creation of a broadband policy to help us increase civic engagement?

For more information on the FCC initiative or to provide comments to the agency, please visit www.broadband.gov.

The FCC is also seeking comment on the development of a national clearinghouse on broadband data and best practices as part of the larger broadband strategy. Comment information can be found on the FCC Web site.