Who We Are

Speed Matters promotes affordable high-speed Internet for all Americans. Working with our partners and allies we advocate for programs and policies that build affordable, universal high-speed broadband investment.

Speed Matters is a project of the Communications Workers of America. CWA is the union for the Information Age, representing 700,000 workers in communications, media, airlines, manufacturing, and public service.

Universality Speed Open Protection

Universal Broadband

Just as government policies helped bring affordable telephone service to everyone, our policies should ensure that every individual, family, business, and community has access to and can use high-speed Internet at a price they can afford – regardless of their income or geographic location.

High Speed

Speed matters on the Internet. U.S policies should promote higher Internet speeds and higher capacity networks. The U.S. should adopt policies to get us to 10 megabits per second downstream, 1 megabit per second upstream by 2010, with new benchmarks for succeeding years.

Open Internet

To protect free speech we must build high-capacity networks to ensure that all Americans have fast, open access to content on the Internet. There should be no degradation of service or censoring of any lawful content. Reasonable network management is necessary to preserve an effective and open Internet.

Consumer Protections and Good Jobs

Public policies should include consumer and worker protections, should support the growth of good, career jobs, and require the public reporting of deployment, actual speed, price, and service.

Get the Report: A state-by-state report of internet connection speeds.

Anticipated Comcast-NBC Universal merger must be stopped

The Communications Workers of America have joined forces with two of the nation's top consumer advocacy groups to bring attention to the list of reasons that the Comcast-NBC Universal merger should be stopped. Free Press and the Consumers Federation of America - along with CWA - are speaking out about the significant anti-trust problems with the proposed deal. Read More »

Broadband plan considers bridging the digital gap

The persistent divide between those who enjoy high speed Internet at home and those who do not is increasingly problematic, according to a report from the US Broadband Coalition. The report, "Bridging the Gap," details specific recommendations to increase broadband adoption and use. Read More »

NTIA and RUS looking to streamline broadband stimulus

The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) and National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) are seeking public comment on possible changes for the second and final round of funding from the Recovery Act stimulus. The agencies are requesting input on "procedural and policy aspects of the programs including ways to streamline the application process and best address privacy issues." Read More »

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