AT&T will add 2,000 new cell towers to its network, responding to a 5,000% growth in data usage during the past three years, according to an ARS Technica post, which admits:
The big driver of mobile data use has been smartphones. Put an iPhone, Pre, BlackBerry, or Android handset in the hands of someone who previously made only voice calls and sent a few text messages, and data use skyrockets.
Wireless carriers are also claiming they don’t have enough spectrum to keep up with demand. The FCC just released a followup public notice: Comment Sought on Spectrum for Broadband, to address this issue in its 2010 Broadband Plan.
A Wall Street Journal update today reports FCC Broadband Plan coordinator Blair Levin estimating that bringing universal high-speed internet access to the U.S. could cost more than $350 billion.
The private sector is the driving force behind Internet investment, said the FCC’s Blair Levin, who is coordinating the commission’s national broadband effort. Mr. Levin sad the $7 billion that the government’s economic-stimulus package put forth for Internet buildout represents a small portion of what is needed to blanket the country with Internet access. It’s still uncertain how much of the cost would be borne by taxpayers.
Two FCC resources on today’s meeting and the status of the Broadband Plan:
September 29, 2009 FCC Broadband Task Force Report
September FCC Broadband Plan Commission Meeting PowerPoint
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