Citing broadband’s ability to spur economic growth and improve the quality of life among many communities, a diverse group of organizations and leaders have formed an Oregon chapter of the Internet Innovation Alliance (IIA) to promote broadband access and adoption throughout the state. IIA is a national coalition of business and non-profit organizations committed to helping our country achieve universal broadband.
“Broadband drives opportunity in everything, from our economy to education and entrepreneurship to healthcare,” said Madelyn Elder, co-chair of Oregon IIA, President of the CWA Local 7901. “High-speed Internet helps businesses connect to new markets and students connect to classrooms anywhere in the world. Those opportunities should be available to every family and business person in the state, no matter where they live.”
Oregon IIA will spend the coming months educating state leaders and others about the importance of mobile broadband and its many benefits. The state ranks 27th in the country in Internet access, according to the National Broadband Map.
“Our common goal is ensuring that everyone has access to high-speed broadband Internet,” said Oregon IIA co-chair, Brad Hicks, “Until we achieve that objective, businesses that want to innovate and expand, especially those in rural communities, will be at a disadvantage.”
The Internet Innovation Alliance supports reforming the Universal Service Fund to include broadband, the more efficient use of spectrum and the proposed merger of AT&T and T-Mobile, as a key way to achieve broadband availability to more than 97% of our nation’s population. Find out more about the IIA at www.internetinnovation.org www.internetinnovation.org> . Supporters can also sign the IIA’s online petition promoting broadband access and adoption here internetinnovation.org/activities/broadband-petition.
