Raleigh FTTH Workshop to Provide First Look at FCC's National Broadband Plan

(WASHINGTON, DC) -- The Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) Council, a national organization dedicated to expanding the deployment of high speed all-fiber networks, will convene a workshop in Raleigh, NC on March 24 to discuss the Federal Communications Commission's National Broadband Plan (NBP).

The full day of presentations, panel discussions and audience participation on NBP-related topics will also include sessions devoted to best practices by successful FTTH service providers, as well as an update on the broadband stimulus programs of the economic recovery legislation.

The event will take place at the Sheraton Raleigh Hotel and is open to anyone who has an interest in broadband policy for a $195 non-member registration fee. More information and an updated agenda can be found on the events page at www.ftthcouncil.org.

After a year of work, the Federal Communications Commission will release its National Broadband Plan in mid-March, fulfilling a directive from Congress that it come up with a plan for every American to have broadband access.

Staff from the FCC's National Broadband Team will be on hand in Raleigh to join other Washington insiders and FTTH Council members to review the various elements of the NBP and what effect they might have on the deployment of high-bandwidth, all-fiber networks in both rural and metropolitan areas.

The workshop will also feature an update on the broadband stimulus programs currently being administered by the U.S. Commerce and Agriculture Departments, with a particular focus on the status of both first and second round applications and a panel featuring a stimulus award recipient. The vast majority of the last-mile broadband stimulus awards announced by the government thus far have involved FTTH projects.

In addition, a case studies panel will focus on the experiences and best practices of companies that are deploying FTTH in the communities they serve.

With nearly six million U.S. households now connected into all-fiber networks, FTTH is fast becoming the technology of choice for next-generation, high-speed access to Internet, video and emerging applications.

"For this event in Raleigh, we are expanding our usual focus on FTTH best practices to include an in-depth look at national broadband policy and particularly the National Broadband Plan, which will have just been released," said Joe Savage, President of the FTTH Council. "This is going to be a great opportunity for anyone who is interested in learning more about the future of broadband from the perspectives of both policymakers and those who are out there actually deploying next-generation, all-fiber networks."

Fiber to the home networks are already available to 15 percent of U.S. households, mostly because of a $23 billion investment in FTTH by the telecom giant Verizon. However, there are also hundreds of smaller telecoms, municipalities and public electric utilities throughout the nation that have upgraded to all-fiber networks, with many more in the planning stages.

There are approximately 100 FTTH service providers in the Southeast region, serving nearly 800,000 households, with Florida being the most fiber-ready state in the region.
 

About the Fiber-to-the-Home Council

Now in its ninth year, the Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) Council is a non-profit association consisting of companies and organizations that deliver video, Internet and/or voice services over high-bandwidth, next-generation, direct fiber optic connections - as well as those involved in planning and building FTTH networks. The Council works to create a cohesive group to share knowledge and build industry consensus on key issues surrounding fiber to the home. Its mission is to educate the public and government officials about FTTH solutions and to promote and accelerate deployment of fiber to the home and the resulting quality of life enhancements such networks make possible. More information about the Council can be found at www.ftthcouncil.org.
Media Contact:

David St. John
Media Relations
FTTH Council
315.849.3800
media@ftthcouncil.org