Today, Public Knowledge sent a letter to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation Chairman John Thune (R-SD) and Ranking Member Bill Nelson (D-FL) urging Congress take steps to close the digital divide by promoting investments in broadband deployment and competitive, affordable broadband choices for consumers. Broadband access is a basic necessity for full participation in the 21st century economy, and that all Americans would benefit from broadband access at affordable prices.
You may attribute the following to Chris Lewis, Vice President at Public Knowledge:
“Today, broadband is the critical infrastructure for economic opportunity in America. An internet connection is essential for completing homework, applying for jobs, accessing news and information, and engaging in civic discourse. Unfortunately, millions of families are on the wrong side of the digital divide — unable to get online because connectivity is too expensive or unavailable.
“For two decades, Americans have been promised that the magic of the free market will inevitably connect communities, encourage competition, and lead to lower prices. Instead, many rural and low-income communities remain stranded, without basic modern telecommunications services, while even densely populated urban and suburban areas have few choices and high prices.
“It is time for policy makers to get serious about solutions to close the digital divide and invest in connecting families to basic, affordable communications services. Consolidation and the status quo have failed to deliver the promise of broadband to all Americans. Congress must prioritize smart infrastructure policies that bring competitive choices, affordable connectivity, and economic opportunity to us all.”
You may view this letter here.
Members of the media may contact Communications Director Shiva Stella with inquiries, interview requests, or to join the Public Knowledge press list at shiva@publicknowledge.org or 405-249-9435.