NEWS
Federal Communications Commission
445 12th Street, S.W.
Washington, D. C.  20554
This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action.  Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action.
See MCI v. FCC. 515 F 2d 385 (D.C. Circ 1974).
News Media Information 202 / 418-0500
Internet: http://www.fcc.gov
TTY: 1-888-835-5322
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: NEWS MEDIA CONTACT:
August 7, 2009 Mark Wigfield, 202-418-0253
Email: mark.wigfield@fcc.gov
FCC STARTS WITH A CLEAN SLATE 
FOR NEXT BROADBAND REPORT TO CONGRESS
Washington, D.C. – The Federal Communications Commission today begins its sixth 
inquiry for Congress into the state of broadband in the U.S. – an inquiry that this year is 
intertwined with the agency’s larger effort to create a National Broadband Plan.  
In the Notice of Inquiry released today, the Commission starts with a clean slate against a 
backdrop of statutory and policy changes.  Those changes include Congress’s requirement that 
the FCC develop a comprehensive National Broadband Plan by Feb. 17, 2010, that it improve its 
broadband data collection, and the Commission’s own efforts to collect broadband data on a 
more granular basis.
A report based on the inquiry, commonly known as the “706 Report” after the section of 
the Telecommunications Act of 1996 mandating it, must be delivered to Congress on Feb. 3, 
2010.  Comments and other materials received for the National Broadband Plan relevant to the 
inquiry will be incorporated in the upcoming 706 Report.
Action by the Commission, July 31, 2009, by Notice of Inquiry (FCC 09-65).  Chairman 
Genachowski, Commissioner Copps, and Commissioner McDowell.  Chairman Genachowski, 
Commissioners Copps and McDowell issuing separate statements.
Docket Nos.:  09-137, 09-51
Wireline Competition Bureau Staff Contacts:  William Dever, 202-418-1580; Denise 
Coca, 418-0574.
-FCC-
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