Broadband for America member Cisco Systems made major headlines this week with an announcement they promised would provide broadband speeds at up to 12 times the rate of their previous models. FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski praised the announcement saying:

"Fast networks will speed our digital economy. That's why I have advocated for the goal of connecting every community to a 1-gigabit network, through anchor institutions like schools and libraries," he said. "New technologies like Cisco's and investments by broadband providers are important steps toward this goal. Ultra high-speed networks will ensure that the jobs and businesses of the future are created in America. Every American should have the opportunity to share in the benefits of broadband." Read The Hill’s full story here.

Cisco Chief Executive John Chambers said the motivation and inspiration for the new high-speed Internet router came in anticipation of the growing demands being placed on service carriers like AT&T and Verizon, who provide the backbone of service for millions of Americans:

"If we don't provide this type of foundation for the future of the Internet, we actually become the constricting factor on the ability for it to grow," Chambers said during a webcast announcing the new routers. Read the full New York Times story on the announcement here.