Clinton unveils plan for 'next generation of Internet'

KNOXVILLE, Tennessee (CNN) -- President Clinton proposed steps Thursday to help pave the way for the next generation of the Internet, including a $100 million plan to expand the system in fiscal 1998.

"Let us reach for a goal in the 21st century of every home connected to the Internet and let us be brought closer together as a community through that connection," Clinton told supporters at a campaign stop in Knoxville.

The new program will involve linking an estimated 100 sites, including universities and national laboratories, to an Internet that should be about 100 to 1,000 times faster than today's system.

The government plans to spend about $350 million to $650 million on the upgrades, of which $100 million will be used for fiscal 1998. In addition, the private sector will contribute funds.

"Like any other piece of critical infrastructure, it has to be repaired and upgraded to meet all of our education, medical and national security needs. It is now time to invest in the next generation of the Internet," Clinton said.

Clinton also stressed the need to connect schools to the Internet, saying he hopes to see the day "when computers are as much a part of classrooms as blackboards."

Free Internet access for schools

In announcing the proposals, Clinton endorsed a Commerce Department plan to help provide free access to the Internet for all schools, partly using a universal service fund. The fund is typically used to subsidize rural telephone service. But due to changes in the telecommunications bill and expected increased competition in the telephone service industry, the administration expects the fund to have extra money that could be used to pay for basic and advanced service for schools.

The White House also announced a seven-member commission of corporate heads to help provide computers, software and teacher training to every U.S. school through private resources. The board will be comprised of corporate representatives from Time Warner, Viacom and AT & T, among others.

Reuters contributed to this report.

Related sites:

• White House
• US Department of Commerce

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