CWA and APT release report to help state legislators improve broadband

Today, the Communications Workers of America and the Alliance for Public Technology released the first comprehensive, searchable database of state government initiatives for advancing broadband deployment.

The searchable database outlines seven key areas where state initiatives have attempted to enhance the broadband infrastructure of their state: broadband commissions, task forces, and authorities; public-private partnerships; direct funding programs; state networks; telehealth initiatives; tax policies; and demand-side programs.

CWA President Larry Cohen lays out the idea behind the report:

“Much of the work to assess the current state of broadband deployment, stimulate demand and support the buildout of true high-speed networks has taken place in the states. By spotlighting these efforts, we hope to inform, guide and inspire more local, state and federal leaders to adopt comprehensive programs for promoting greater broadband investment and access across the country.”

From Washington to Vermont and from Ohio to Kentucky, states have taken it upon themselves to give their citizens and businesses better Internet connectivity. This report aims to provide policymakers who want to encourage investment in and adoption of high speed broadband networks with a checklist of possible solutions.

APT President Kenneth Peres noted that:

“Our research indicates that the most successful policies for expanding access to advanced communications networks are those that are comprehensive and include the following components: assessing broadband availability, stimulating investment, and aggregating demand at the grassroots level through private-public partnerships. What we need now is a national broadband policy that will support that model.”

The first step to creating a comprehensive national broadband policy is to pass the Broadband Data Improvement Act (S. 1492) through Senate.

State Broadband Initiatives - Laboratories of Innovation (Communications Workers of America and the Alliance for Public Technology)

Washington high speed Internet initiative is approved (Speed Matters)

Internet access bill passes Vermont House (Speed Matters)

Gov. Strickland kicks off Connect Ohio (Speed Matters)

ConnectKentucky: A model for the rest of the country (Speed Matters)

Communications Workers union urges Congress to move forward on broadband mapping (Speed Matters)