CWA Offers Unqualified Support To Expansion Of Broadband Availability

Contact: Chuck Porcari, CWA Communications at 202-434-1121, or cporcari@cwa-union.org

"A Good Step Forward For Reaching FCC Broadband Goals"

Washington, D.C. - June 28, 2010 - Communications Workers of America President Larry Cohen today supported President Obama's signing of a presidential memorandum seeking to make available more wireless spectrum available for commercial use:

"Increased spectrum is a good step forward towards reaching the FCC broadband goals. Wireless internet is critical, particularly in rural areas, if we are ever to close the global broadband gap. However, we still need the right mix of public incentives to encourage wired build out as reflected in the FCC's National Broadband Plan. Revenue from spectrum auctions could be used to support 1 gigabit to anchor institutions such as hospitals, schools and libraries. It could also help bring to reality an implementation plan to reach the 2015 goals of 50 megabits downstream and 20 megabits upstream - still a dream for most of this country."