The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) needs to hear why the Internet is important to you, how you use the Internet, and what barriers you face to broadband access. As big media pushes policymakers to fully privatize the Internet, and the FCC works against the clock to develop the first ever National Broadband Plan, they need to hear the voices of people of color and the poor.
Take Action, Tell Your Internet Story
Tell your Internet story now! In addition to a brief description of your experience with Internet access, add to our Internet Stories Photo Essay by uploading a photo that helps tell your story.
Broadband in Our Communities
Communities of color, the poor, and other historically under-represented groups face significant barriers to education, economic opportunity, access to services, and democratic participation. Of the 37 percent of U.S. adults that don’t have high speed Internet access, the vast majority are people of color, rural, poor, migrants and refugees, and people who speak languages other than English. Full broadband adoption would help to level the playing field for these communities, and create new platforms for our voices to be heard.
Define Broadband as a Universal Service
The Universal Service Fund was established in 1997 to meet the goals of Universal Service as mandated by the Telecommunications Act of 1996. Universal Service is a concept established in 1934 to make rapid, efficient, nation- and worldwide wire and radio communication available to all people in the United States at reasonable rates, without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, or sex.
