There are multiple issues being addressed within the National Broadband Plan, though--only one of which is the aspect of expanding broadband access to more Americans. The other factors involved include ensuring that private sector broadband providers have an incentive to push the envelope and continue to invest in innovation rather than stagnating.

When business was done primarily from within the confines of the office, workers had the benefit of high speed connections via dedicated T1 lines. As the American workforce has become increasingly remote and mobile, commerce is more and more reliant on high-speed broadband connections to employees' homes, and wireless broadband access for workers on the go.

Broadband speeds of 3 mbps or so are sufficient for connecting and surfing the Web or retrieving e-mail, but are inadequate for using newer technology or evolving business practices to capitalize on what is possible. As on its site , there are some business scenarios that are impractical with standard broadband, but are made possible by faster broadband speeds:

• Real estate agents can conduct virtual property tours.

• Construction teams using 4G in the field can save valuable time by sharing schematics with engineers online.