The Federal Communications Commission announced its National Broadband Plan on Wednesday morning to mixed reception from the IT community. While some believe the plans are too grandiose it is clear that there are disparities in broadband availability throughout the U.S., which create further distance between academic and financial opportunities.

As small businesses in these areas gain access to broadband that they did not have previously, cloud computing options will prove especially cost effective and convenient as opposed to establishing an onsite IT infrastructure.

Part of the reasoning behind the NBP was to ensure that IT in the U.S. advances along with the rest of the world, and cloud computing plays an integral role in that.

"The U.S. is lagging globally; certain communities within the U.S. are lagging; and the costs of digital exclusion grow higher every day. Millions and millions are being left behind. The status quo is not good enough," FCC Chairman Julis Genachowski said in a statement.

As part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, many rural areas in states like Louisiana will receive funding to improve broadband access. The federal government believes that these improvements will help aid business development and improve educational opportunities for people in these areas.ADNFCR-2553-ID-19677713-ADNFCR