CWA: FCC Vote Moves U.S. Forward on Broadband

Contact: Candice Johnson or Chuck Porcari, CWA Communications, 202-434-1168, cjohnson@cwa-union.org and cporcari@cwa-union.org

Statement by the Communications Workers of America on the FCC’s action to adopt open Internet rules:

Washington, D.C. -- The Communications Workers of America applauds the decision by the Federal Communications Commission approving Chairman Genachowski’s initiative to adopt open Internet rules and create the stable conditions necessary for critical investment and quality job creation in broadband networks.

The FCC’s action resolves the issue in a way that protects an Open Internet yet provides for incentives for investment, economic development and the creation of quality jobs and sustainable communities. The plan adopted by the Commission codifies the FCC’s Open Internet principles, which call for no discrimination, full transparency, no blocking and free speech, and cover wireless technology while acknowledging technological differences.

Now that the Commission has taken this important step, we can move forward on bringing broadband networks up to the global standard.

As CWA’s 2010 “Speed Matters” report on Internet Speed demonstrates, there is much work to do for the U.S. to meet the standards of a true 21^st century broadband infrastructure. Currently, half of Americans' broadband connections do not meet the FCC standard of 4 megabits per second (mbps) download 1 mbps upload.

For residents in rural communities and lower-income urban areas, the digital divide persists. That’s why CWA and other organizations, including national civil rights and environmental groups, are calling for initiatives to support broadband buildout and adoption, and support the FCC’s national broadband plan to enable the United States to catch up with the rest of the world.