WASHINGTON – The Broadband Adoption Act, which was introduced today by U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.), and U.S. Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-Calif.), has already received strong endorsements from various stakeholders. The legislation will reform and modernize the Universal Service Fund (USF) Lifeline Assistance Program – which currently subsidizes basic landline and mobile phone services for low-income Americans – by making subsidies for broadband Internet services also available to eligible households.

Since its introduction this morning, the Broadband Adoption Act has been endorsed by the Lifeline Connects Coalition, The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, Verizon, National Cable & Telecommunications Association, Common Sense Kids Action, CTIA-The Wireless Association, Common Cause, National Consumer Law Center, National Hispanic Media Coalition, and Public Knowledge.

Here is what stakeholders are saying:


Lifeline Connects Coalition

“Broadband access has become a fundamental requirement of social and economic inclusion and ensures that every segment of our population can fully participate in the information age.  Access to the Internet and the availability of information drive economic development and job growth, as well as advancements in healthcare and education.”

“The nation needs a new paradigm for alleviating poverty and promoting opportunity for poor families and communities across America.  We strongly commend the bill sponsors’ efforts to make broadband affordable for the most vulnerable members of our society.  This legislation is an important step in ensuring access for low-income households that in many cases have been excluded from the digital revolution.”

-          John Heitmann on behalf of Lifeline Connects

 

The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights

“For Americans trying to move out of poverty and succeed in our modern economy, broadband access is absolutely crucial. This bill will help put modern communication services within reach for some of our nation’s most vulnerable communities, helping low-income households afford the broadband access they need to thrive in today’s information age.

“High-speed Internet today is vital to accessing job opportunities, health care, social services, and education. But for millions of low-income and minority Americans—the people who are in most need of the advantages of broadband—such service is simply out of reach. By helping reduce the high cost of broadband services, this bill will help narrow the digital divide and move our nation toward an inclusive economic recovery.

 

“We thank Representative Matsui and Senators Murphy and Booker for introducing this important legislation, and urge their colleagues to support its passage.”

-          Nancy Zirkin, executive vice president and director of policy of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights

 

Verizon

"Verizon supports efforts to reform, modernize and add accountability to the Lifeline program, and the bill introduced by Representative Matsui and Senators Murphy and Booker is an important contribution to those efforts. Among other things, the bill includes several accountability provisions that will help protect consumers who pay for the fund. We look forward to working with the sponsors and other interested stakeholders on ways to modernize the program."

-          Peter Davison, Verizon senior vice president, federal government relations

 

National Cable & Telecommunications Association

“We welcome the reintroduction of the Broadband Adoption Act by Rep. Doris Matsui and Senators Chris Murphy and Cory Booker, and the renewed focus it shines on the important issue of broadband adoption. While broadband is the fastest growing consumer technology in  history, a small but significant percentage of U.S. consumers do not yet subscribe or see the relevance of the Internet in their daily lives. The cable industry has invested hundreds of billions of dollars to build networks that reach 93 percent of homes and we have worked closely with local, state and federal government agencies and non-profits to educate consumers about the benefits of broadband. We look forward to working with all interested stakeholders in developing new, cost-effective strategies that will encourage all Americans to realize the benefits of fast broadband networks.”

 

 

Common Sense Kids Action

"Common Sense applauds Sens. Booker and Murphy and Rep. Matsui for their important bicameral efforts to bring high-speed Internet access to all American homes.  High-speed broadband at home is considered essential for the vast majority of Americans, and for good reason. Unfortunately, millions of low-income Americans—including millions of low-income kids—do not have broadband at home, and are being left behind. The Broadband Adoption Act of 2015 will make broadband more affordable and accessible for low-income Americans, enabling more children and their families to connect to 21st century education, jobs, and other critical opportunities that benefit our overall economy."

-          Jim Steyer, Common Sense Media CEO and Founder

 

CTIA-The Wireless Association

“We appreciate Congresswoman Matsui and Senator Booker for releasing their Lifeline modernization legislation. As we will say in our testimony [PDF] tomorrow at the Senate Subcommittee on Communications’ hearing, we support efforts to expand mobile broadband use while carefully and efficiently administering the Lifeline program to prevent waste, fraud and abuse and safeguarding the interests of the consumers who support all universal service programs.”

-          CTIA-The Wireless Association Vice President of Government Affairs Jot Carpenter

 

Common Cause

"This strong public interest leadership shows the way forward for the FCC. It's time to modernize Lifeline so more American families can benefit from the democracy and opportunity engine of the 21st century. It's everyone's need and everyone's right."

-          Former FCC Commissioner and Common Cause Special Adviser Michael Copps

 

National Consumer Law Center

“The Broadband Adoption Act of 2015 addresses a critical need in our nation – closing the digital divide by bringing affordable broadband within the reach of struggling households. The lack of affordable broadband service hurts children whose educational opportunities are limited and hampers workers’ ability to apply for jobs or establish entrepreneurial businesses. Internet access affects every facet of modern life, from access to healthcare to participation in commerce. In an information age, access to modern communication services enhances the competitiveness of individuals and communities. Representative Matsui and Senators Murphy and Booker have demonstrated great leadership on this issue by introducing this legislation.” 

-          National Consumer Law Center Attorney Olivia Wein

 

National Hispanic Media Coalition (NHMC)

"I applaud our champions in Congress - Representative Matsui, Senator Murphy, Senator Booker, and all of their co-sponsors - who understand the tremendous, untapped potential of Lifeline. Lifeline could offer a bridge across the digital divide and represents a crucial investment in the people of this country. This legislation and current FCC efforts to modernize Lifeline are about the core American values of creating access to opportunity and a pathway out of poverty for millions of Americans."

-          Jessica J. Gonzalez, NHMC's Executive Vice President and General Counsel

 

Public Knowledge

“This legislation acknowledges the critical role broadband plays in providing access to jobs, education, news, services, healthcare, and essential communication to low-income individuals. When the Lifeline program was created in the 1980s, voice calls were the critical connection people needed, and now that connection should include broadband.

 

“Low-income Americans face multiple challenges to accessing broadband service. Without confronting these challenges, the digital divide persists -- separating Americans from their own jobs, schools, libraries and healthcare facilities. Lifeline helps address the cost obstacle that too many Americans face in connecting to opportunity. It is a critical program in the FCC’s commitment to making broadband service available for everyone.

 

“We commend Congresswoman Matsui for her long history of leadership in this issue. We’re also pleased to see Sen. Murphy and Sen. Booker supporting Lifeline modernization in the Senate. Americans need broadband Internet to connect with and provide for their families, and we believe this bill is a great step forward for struggling communities.”

-          Kristine DeBry, Vice President of the Policy Strategy Center at Public Knowledge