CWA Commends FCC Chairman's Plan on Open Internet

CWA President Larry Cohen expressed strong support for FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski’s initiative to sustain open Internet principles and create the stable conditions necessary for critical investment and quality job creation in broadband networks.

Genachowski outlined his “draft rules of the road” to preserve the freedom and openness of the Internet, spur investment in broadband networks and ensure innovation and the creation of quality jobs.

CWA and other organizations in the progressive community, including national civil rights, environmental and labor groups, have called for action to implement the FCC’s principles of net neutrality: free speech, no blocking, no unjust or unreasonable discrimination and transparency.

The framework outlined by Genachowski does just that, Cohen said. The Commission will vote on the plan at its Dec. 21 meeting.

The buildout of true 21st century broadband networks has been stalled over the net neutrality debate. It’s time to end the gridlock and focus on the investment that will allow the United States to catch up with the rest of the world.

The lack of high speed broadband also has real implications for our country's economic growth, for residents in rural areas and urban communities who are encountering a widening digital divide and for communities who have no way to compete without high speed broadband.