Press Release
Senate Bill Would Help Connect Local Communities
Contact: Timothy Karr, 201-533-8838
WASHINGTON -- Free Press commended the Senate Commerce Committee today for passing the bipartisan Community Broadband Act (S.1853).
The legislation, introduced by Sens. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.), Gordon Smith (R-Ore.), John Kerry (D-Mass.), John McCain (R-Ariz.), Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.), Olympia Snowe (R-Maine), Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) and Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii), will help ensure that communities across the country can deliver the economic and social benefits of broadband access to their citizens.
Shawn Chang, deputy policy director of Free Press, issued the following statement:
"We applaud the Commerce Committee for advancing legislation that promotes universal, affordable Internet access. The Community Broadband Act will empower local communities to deliver essential high-speed Internet access to all their citizens.
"Community Internet treats Internet access as a public utility, bringing innovation and competition to our stagnant broadband market. As the United States continues to fall further behind other world leaders in price, speed and availability of high-speed Internet, these networks are essential for restoring competition and closing the digital divide.
"The Community Broadband Act will provide local governments, schools, nonprofits and disadvantaged communities with faster, cheaper and more reliable broadband service. With millions still lacking the economic benefits of high-speed Internet, this legislation could not be more critical."
The legislation, introduced by Sens. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.), Gordon Smith (R-Ore.), John Kerry (D-Mass.), John McCain (R-Ariz.), Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.), Olympia Snowe (R-Maine), Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) and Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii), will help ensure that communities across the country can deliver the economic and social benefits of broadband access to their citizens.
Shawn Chang, deputy policy director of Free Press, issued the following statement:
"We applaud the Commerce Committee for advancing legislation that promotes universal, affordable Internet access. The Community Broadband Act will empower local communities to deliver essential high-speed Internet access to all their citizens.
"Community Internet treats Internet access as a public utility, bringing innovation and competition to our stagnant broadband market. As the United States continues to fall further behind other world leaders in price, speed and availability of high-speed Internet, these networks are essential for restoring competition and closing the digital divide.
"The Community Broadband Act will provide local governments, schools, nonprofits and disadvantaged communities with faster, cheaper and more reliable broadband service. With millions still lacking the economic benefits of high-speed Internet, this legislation could not be more critical."
