US president Barack Obama travelled to a remote corner of frigid Michigan on Thursday (local time) to roll out an ambitious plan to offer high-speed wireless Internet coverage to 98 per cent of Americans.

"We can't expect tomorrow's economy to take root using yesterday's infrastructure," he said.

Mr Obama unveiled the broadband internet push as part of his plan to "Win the Future" in his State of the Union address last month.

"We've got to think about what's the next thing and make sure that we're at the forefront, just like we were in the last century," he said, comparing the web infrastructure growth to the economic jolt delivered by the railroads.

Obama chose to deliver his remarks at Northern Michigan University in Marquette, which partnered with communications firms to establish an off-campus wireless network, to help students in rural locations.

"Within five years, we want to make it possible for businesses to put high-speed wireless services in reach of virtually every American."

Obama's $US18 billion plan, to be detailed in his next budget to be unveiled on Monday, is intended to create jobs and help rural businesses develop new products and markets.

It includes $US5 billion to help the development of a 4G wireless network by providers in rural areas.

About $US10 billion would be used to help develop a national wireless network for first responders and emergency services, and there would be a $US3 billion investment in research in emerging wireless technologies.

The measure will be financed by the government's sale of freed up sectors of the wireless spectrum which the government says will raise up to $US27.8 billion.

Conscious of the political battle looming with Republicans over the budget, the White House says $US9.6 billion left over from the sale will be used to pay down the deficit.

- AFP