Increased transparency, quality of service, and availability would make low-income residents more likely to adopt broadband Internet service, says a report recently commissioned by the Federal Communications Commission. Read More »
The National Broadband Plan - set to be released later this month - will specifically outline a strategy for increasing broadband access in Indian Country. This strategy will include creating a separate fund to support deployment and adoption in Indian Country, improving data-gathering, helping tribal communities acquire technical skills and allowing tribal representatives to participate in the FCC University training programs at no cost. Read More »
A study authored by the Future of Music Coalition and the National Alliance for Media Arts suggests that universal high-speed Internet access is critical to the success of the arts and creative industry over the next decade. The report notes that technological advancements will offer both unique challenges and opportunities for the arts. Read More »
Senate Antitrust chair Senator Herb Kohl (D-WI) wrote a letter to NBC to express concern that some of its Internet coverage of the Vancouver Winter Olympic games was available only to paid subscribers. Visitors to the NBC site who sought coverage of the Olympics - NBC and its sister stations were the exclusive domestic carriers of the games - had to first confirm they had a subscription to cable, satellite, or IPTV. Read More »
On March 4, The Communications Workers of America and three of its partner organizations released a report called Networking the Green Economy. The report found that new communication technologies are actually a critical part of making our energy-hungry economy more sustainable and energy-efficient. Read More »
Communications Workers of America President Larry Cohen testified before the House Judiciary Committee on February 25 about the impact of a proposed merger between Comcast and NBC Universal. Cohen, who represents employees of both companies, made the case that the merger would adversely affect the public interest by shedding quality jobs, reducing competition, and devaluing online content and broadband services. Read More »
A report released last week by the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies shows that while minorities are the fastest growing group of broadband adopters, significant barriers to adoption - age, income, and education - remain. The study was designed to highlight minority adoption trends and provide insight into factors affecting minority Internet use. Read More »
On Tuesday the FCC released its National Broadband Plan Consumer Survey which found that affordability and lack of computer literacy are the main reasons why 93 million Americans are not connected to high-speed Internet in their homes. The survey results bolstered existing statistics that 80 million adults currently lack high-speed Internet. Most cited affordability, digital literacy, and relevance as the main barriers to adoption. Read More »
The FCC recently released working recommendations for key priorities that will be part of next month's unveiling of the National Broadband Plan. The recommendations are meant to bring greater high-speed Internet availability to the health care, education, and energy sectors, and move the federal government into a new era of engagement and transparency. Read More »
The FCC is scheduled to present its National Broadband Plan next month to Congress - and the stakes could not be higher. The Chairman of the Alliance for Digital Equality - a Speed Matters partner - Julius Hollis wrote last week about the need for a measured approach to ensure all Americans have access to fast and readily accessible broadband Internet. Read More »
