News
Group Pushes for High-Speed Internet Access for All
A coalition of academics, information technology industry leaders and public-policy
advocates will launch a campaign today to make "access to a fast, open
and affordable Internet a basic right for all Americans."
Federal Communications Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein was among the scheduled
speakers in New York on Tuesday at the Personal Democracy Forum to announce
the creation of InternetforEveryone.org.
Other participants in the news conference included Google chief technology evangelist
and Internet patriarch Vinton Cerf, in addition to law professors and entrepreneurs.
The coalition warned that the United States is falling behind in broadband
Internet access at a time when high-speed online access is becoming a public
necessity in fully developing economic, social and political potential. The
group pointed to statistics showing that since 2001 the United States has slipped
from fourth in the world in broadband penetration to 15th today. In addition,
U.S. consumers have less choice when it comes to high-speed online access and
are paying more for it.
The advocates warned that this digital divide is not only separating many lower
economic classes, ethnic minorities and rural residents from the mainstream
in this country, but also separating this country from parts of the world that
have leapfrogged it in broadband penetration.
"InternetforEveryone.org will unite Internet users, content creators and innovators
to make universal, affordable, high-speed Internet access a national priority,"
the organization said.
InternetforEveryone.org will promote four basic principles:
- Every home and business in the United States must have access to a high-speed,
world-class communications infrastructure.
- Every consumer must have the benefit of competition in online content and
among high-speed Internet providers to achieve lower prices and higher speeds.
- Every Internet user should have freedom of speech and commerce online in
an open market without gatekeepers or discrimination.
- The Internet should continue to create good jobs, foster entrepreneurship,
spread new ideas and serve as a leading engine of economic growth.
The organization intends to solicit federal, state and local support for the
initiative.
Its membership roster includes 40 organizations and companies from the American
Civil Liberties Union to Yale Information Society Project, industry leaders
eBay.com and Google, and technology innovators such as Internet2.
About the Author
William Jackson is the senior writer for Government Computer News (GCN.com).