CWA Members Stand Up for High-Speed Internet Access for All

CWA members gathered near the U.S. Supreme Court yesterday as part of a “Keep Our Communities Connected” event to underscore the critical role of the Universal Service program in bridging the digital divide and supporting education, healthcare, and economic opportunity. Massachusetts Senator Ed Markey, Federal Communications Commissioner Anna Gomez, educators, librarians, parents, and other community members also participated in the gathering.

The Universal Service Fund provides essential telecommunications access to millions of Americans, helping to bridge the digital divide and support critical services like high-speed internet for schools and libraries, telemedicine for rural hospitals, and affordable communications for low-income households. The Supreme Court is hearing a case that could shut down the fund, which was established in 1996.

“CWA members know how much universal service matters,” said CWA Local 2336 President Melissa Smith-Kupihea. “We have members who are fiber technicians who get families connected to the internet. We have members who are teachers and non-profit workers who know how important access is to their students and those they serve in the community. Not only that, we also have members who work in call centers and retail stores, and they're getting folks connected so that they can live and work efficiently and productively.”

You can watch Smith-Kupihea’s remarks here.

Rather than eliminating the fund, CWA members believe that it should be updated to reflect the changing telecommunications landscape so that every American household, business, hospital, library, and school has access to affordable communications services no matter where they are located.

 
CWA Local 2336 President Melissa Smith-Kupihea and other CWA members joined community allies to stand up for the Universal Service Fund and high-speed internet access for all Americans.