CWA: Use National Broadband Plan to Bring U.S. Networks to World-Class Standards

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

Read the filing here.   

CWA calls for achievable goal of 50 megabits per second downstream and 20 upstream by 2015, to reach 80 percent of Americans 

Washington, D.C. -- The Communications Workers of America's "Speed Matters" campaign has been pushing for public policy that will provide 21st century broadband networks and universal access. CWA commends the Federal Communications Commission for moving forward on its national broadband plan and recommends these specific proposals to implement these goals:  

• Develop a transition plan that protects consumers and workers in the IP world. Launch an inquiry into employment in the communications industry and explore policy options to create and maintain good jobs.
• Close the digital divide by ensuring that most people in the United States have access and competitive choices for high-speed broadband.   
• Bring U.S. networks to world-class standards by setting ambitious, but achievable goals, with an immediate goal of 10 megabits per second downstream and 1 megabit per second up; and 50 megabits down and 20 up to 80 percent of the population by 2015.
• Implement broadband truth-in-labeling that provides consumers with information about actual and advertised speeds, reliability, latency, price, fees, traffic management policies, service limits and guarantees, legal and privacy policies, and contract terms. The FCC and government agencies should include a speed test on websites for consumers and data collection on actual speeds.
• Reform the Universal Service Fund to support broadband in rural areas and subsidies to low-income households.
• Ensure E-Rate program of subsidies to schools, libraries, and rural health centers and support network upgrades to provide minimum speeds to these institutions.
• Establish a national Digital Ambassadors community-based digital outreach/literacy program.
• Promote no child offline with a national program of subsidized computer distribution to low-income families with children.
• Encourage and leverage public programs to promote broadband solutions to meet the nation’s challenges in health care, education, job training, energy conservation, economic development, civic engagement, public safety and cyber security, among others.