Congresswoman Matsui Calls FCC Broadband Plan Bold Plan to Bridge the Nations Digital Divide

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, March 15, 2010

CONTACT: MARA LEE
(202) 225-7163

Congresswoman Doris O. Matsui (D-CA) applauded the Executive Summary of the National Broadband Planreleased by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and thanked the FCC for its continued work in extending broadband access to more Americans. The comprehensive Plan, to be formally released tomorrow, serves as a blueprint for expanding the deployment of high-speed broadband services to more Americans; addresses the affordability barriers of broadband services; and includes a series of recommendations that enhance our country's broadband infrastructure for economic growth, job creation, and global competitiveness in the 21st Century.

I applaud Chairman Genachowski, Commissioners Copps, Clyburn, Baker, and McDowell, and the FCC for their work on the National Broadband Plan which sets forth a bold roadmap to address broadband affordability barriers, while also expanding the deployment of high-speed internet services to more Americans and communities across the nation, said Ms. Matsui. In today's economic climate, it is imperative that the Plan serves as a bridge to help more Americans utilize online tools to apply for work or college, compare health care options, and obtain critical information. In my view, the FCC Plan is bold plan to bridge the nation's digital divide.

A central recommendation proposed in the National Broadband Plan is the inclusion of expanding Lifeline/Link-up for universal broadband adoption in its proposed reforms to Universal Service Fund (USF.) This recommendation is similar to legislation Rep. Matsui introduced last year, the Broadband Affordability Act (H.R. 3646). And recently, a survey conducted by the FCC concluded that the cost of broadband services and digital literacy are the main barriers to broadband adoption in the United States.

There are far too many Americans on the wrong side of the digital divide because of the high cost of broadband services today, added Matsui. I applaud the FCC for including a central recommendation to expand the Universal Service Fund Lifeline-Link-up for universal broadband adoption, as laid out in my Broadband Affordability Act. We have learned from a wide variety of studies that the high cost of broadband services is the number one reason why millions of Americans are not connecting to in-home broadband services. This central recommendation will ensure all Americans living in urban, suburban, and rural areas have access to affordable broadband services. With this Plan, we are making major strides toward truly closing the digital divide. I look forward to continuing my work with the FCC, and my colleagues in Congress, to ensure that key goals of the Plan including universal broadband adoption become a reality.