FCC debates broadband cost as CTIA asks for more spectrum

An FCC task force told the the commission that expanding broadband access throughout the United States will require investments of between $20 billion and $350 billion for wireless and wireline infrastructure. The range indicates what it would cost to roll out the slowest broadband speeds all the way up to the fastest speeds. The task force, in giving an update on the status of crafting a national broadband plan due by February, said that it is still collecting data and therefore wouldn't yet provide recommendations. Meanwhile, in a filing to the FCC, CTIA said that the federal government needs to allocate 800 MHz of additional spectrum by 2015 to keep pace with growing broadband demands. The trade group also said that 50 MHz of spectrum should be opened up for commercial wireless services immediately. Article, article