Coalition of 54 Internet Companies and Public Interest Groups Call on Congress to Address US Decline in Broadband Adoption

Coalition of 54 Internet Companies and Public Interest Groups Call on Congress to Address US Decline in Broadband Adoption

Comprehensive Policy Agenda Includes Universal Access, an Open Internet, and Increased Competition on Next Gen Networks

The Open Internet Coalition (OIC) today sent a letter signed by 54 Internet companies, grassroots and advocacy organizations to members of the U.S. Senate and House calling for a national broadband policy that will lead to universal, affordable access for all Americans to high-speed Internet connections.

The group said the new comprehensive policy should have three elements: (1) universal, affordable access to broadband. Targeting underserved areas is a key starting point. (2) An open Internet. Access to broadband networks should be open to all producers and consumers of Internet content on fair and equal terms. (3) Quality through competition. We must maximize competition on next generation networks by guaranteeing access and by ensuring that all networks interconnect and interoperate.

A new approach is urgently needed — the U.S. continues to fall behind other world leaders in the performance and adoption of broadband internet networks. We currently rank 15th in the world in the latest comprehensive measure of broadband penetration, according to a recent Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) study, falling from 12th in a previous report. According to analysis of the study by Free Press, only 40 percent of U.S. households currently subscribe to broadband service. If the US broadband penetration level were as high as in Denmark, the number one country on the OECD list, we would see household subscription levels of 67 percent.

The text of the letter and the signatories can be found at http://www.openinternetcoalition.com.

About the Open Internet Coalition: The Open Internet Coalition represents consumers, grassroots organizations and businesses working in pursuit of a shared goal: keeping the Internet fast, open and accessible to all Americans.