Digital Infrastructure

High‑speed broadband is the critical commercial infrastructure of the future.  TechPoint has called for universal and reliable broadband connections to all Indiana homes and businesses.  This plan is consistent with a federal strategy to provide next‑generation broadband infrastructure, applications and services for commerce and culture in the Information Age.  TechPoint recognizes that broadband access remains an important public policy objective as we seek to transform the Indiana economy and set the stage for dramatic economic growth well into the future.

TechPoint regards Indiana as fertile for private sector investment under the newly deregulated framework.  TechPoint now calls on private sector telecommunication providers to take advantage of the favorable investment climate and provide rapid and aggressive expansion of their high‑speed broadband networks and the provision of new services for businesses and consumers.  Over the next year, TechPoint will be monitoring private sector activity to make sure the new regulatory environment is truly promoting vigorous competition and infrastructure investment.

Digital Infrastructure Policy Recommendations:

• Complete "I-Light" network connection of Indiana colleges and universities by July 1, 2008.
• Keep universal and reliable high‑speed Internet access an urgent public policy goal while allowing the market to direct deployment of high‑speed communications with de minimis government interference.
• The Indiana Broadband Authority should do more to promote available financing mechanisms under the existing statute that could increase broadband demand.
• If necessary, enact clarifying measures that prohibit Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission ("IURC") rulemaking and regulatory requests that attempt to regulate certain services or "rollback" recent reforms.
• Swiftly implement open standards and interoperability of GIS software platforms within state agencies and across other government jurisdictions in accordance with the Act passed by the General Assembly in 2007.
• Level the playing field among industry participants by eliminating local franchise fees for video services.