March 15, 2010
 
Statement of the Media & Democracy Coalition
On the Release of the National Broadband Plan by the Federal Communications Commission
 
This statement can be attributed to Beth McConnell, Executive Director of the Media & Democracy Coalition (MDC)
 
“Today, the Federal Communications Commission took the first of many important steps in bringing the promise of broadband to all U.S. consumers by releasing a summary of the National Broadband Plan.  The Commission set ambitious goals in the Plan to spur deployment of broadband infrastructure, as well as empower consumers with information, training and tools to make use of the Internet.
 
We are particularly pleased to see the Commission recommend changes to the Universal Service Fund that will re-allocate its resources to broadband deployment and adoption. We also look forward to hearing more on how the Commission will free up additional spectrum for unlicensed use, an idea MDC members have long pushed.
 
Given the important role local government has played in spurring broadband deployment, the Commission’s affirmation in support of the deployment of municipal networks in encouraging.
 
The Media and Democracy Coalition also applauds the Commission for recommending connecting anchor institutions such as schools, libraries and hospitals to high-capacity broadband, which provide critical community access points.  
 
Details of the recommendations in the Plan will be closely scrutinized by MDC members and allies in the public interest community over the coming months.  We will continue to be aggressive advocates for rules needed to put in the hands of every U.S. consumer a high quality, affordable and open Internet.”  

The Media and Democracy Coalition is a collaboration of over thirty public interest groups working to amplify the voice of the public in debates over media and telecommunications policy.  For more information, visit www.media-democracy.net