The Communications Workers of America recently released a new policy paper as part of its "Speed Matters" campaign, a multi-million-dollar, strategic effort that they say will help bring affordable, high-speed Internet to all Americans and to create 21st century, quality jobs.
The report spotlights the critical need for a comprehensive national high-speed broadband policy if the United States is to bring the benefits of the telecommunications revolution to all.
"High-speed networks are the infrastructure of the 21st century and the U.S. needs a national policy to get all of us there," said CWA President Larry Cohen. "This is a critical public good and where markets are slow to deliver, we need to find ways to create financial incentives to speed up private sector build out. In addition, we need to ensure that all regions of the country have access to service, including rural areas and urban communities. That's why we need a national public policy that will make sure that all Americans can benefit from high-speed Internet and other 21st century advances."
The report also points to ways that government can create financial incentives to speed up the build out of high-speed networks, including accelerated depreciation of investments and making low interest loans available to carriers in order to go forward with build out.
CWA's campaign involves working with policymakers in Congress and at the state and local levels and is building support among other public interest groups and organizations for ensuring universal access to high-speed broadband networks.
For more information, read the press release CWA's 'Speed Matters' Campaign to Press for High Speed Internet for All or visit www.speedmatters.org.
