OTI Applauds President Obama for Taking Strongs Steps to Improve Access to High-Speed Internet

Yesterday, the President released a fact sheet outlining bold steps to improve the competitive landscape for broadband access in the United States. As he takes the stage this afternoon to discuss the proposal in Cedar Falls, Iowa, we expect him to echo the points in the fact sheet and urge the FCC to remove barriers to municipal broadband networks, improve coordination around and support for local broadband efforts, and reopen a broadband loan program to help eligible rural carriers provision to underserved areas.

The following statement can be attributed to Sarah J. Morris, Senior Policy Counsel for New America’s Open Technology Institute:

"Broadband in the U.S. is generally slower and more expensive than offerings around the globe, but municipal networks like those in Chattanooga, TN, and Wilson, NC, are notable exceptions to that trend. We applaud the administration’s efforts to both highlight these efforts and encourage more communities to follow suit. This move is the latest in a series of strong steps by the White House to dramatically improve broadband policy in the U.S. and ensure that communities across the country have access to world-class broadband networks."

The following statement can be attributed to Danielle Kehl, a policy analyst at New America’s Open Technology Institute:

“The President is right: we need to invest in high-speed broadband networks to help ensure that all Americans have affordable, quality Internet options that meet their needs. Truly addressing the digital divide in America will involve looking to creative and alternative solutions, especially in communities where the incumbent carriers are not delivering. As we’ve found in our research, many of the leading networks — the ones that offer consumers fast speeds at affordable prices — are not in big U.S. cities like New York or Washington D.C., but actually in places where the local communities have decided to remove barriers or invest in their own infrastructure.”

Starting at 4:30, New America will be hosting a live Google Hangout to provide immediate commentary on the President's speech. Journalists are encouraged to ask questions using #BetterBroadband, and using @NewAmerica on Twitter. You can watch the Hangout via this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFKiw8tOfkY.

For related information about this topic, see OTI’s research on international broadband speed and price comparisons and a primer on local broadband options co-published with CTC Energy and Technology.