Today, Public Knowledge joined Consumer Reports and more than 40 public interest and consumer groups in a national broadband affordability initiative to fight for quality, affordable broadband for everyone. The “Broadband Together” campaign urges consumers to share their internet bills at broadbandtogether.org to help analyze the cost, quality, and speeds being delivered to communities across the country. This data will shed light on the factors that affect price and why consumers pay different rates for the same service. The campaign aims to use this data to pressure broadband providers and government officials to deliver access to fair, affordable, and reliable internet services to us all.
A survey from Consumer Reports revealed that four out of five Americans agree that internet service is “as important as water or electricity,” yet broadband access is not universally available. In places where it is available, confusing pricing, slow speeds, and high costs mean that some people pay more money for less service. Public Knowledge advocates for connecting everyone to affordable high-speed broadband so that no one is left behind in the digital era.
The following can be attributed to John Bergmayer, Legal Director at Public Knowledge:
“It’s hard to have good broadband policy without good broadband data. Not only do we not know where broadband is deployed, but we also don’t know how it performs, how much people are paying for it, and whether they’re getting what they pay for. Broadband Together is a way for people in communities across the country to share data to help make broadband more universal, affordable, and equitable.”
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.