WCAI Joins Diverse Group of Organizations in a Call to Action for a National Broadband Strategy

WCAI was part of a broad and diverse group that this week released a Call to Action for President-elect Barack Obama and the incoming Congress "to make the development and initial implementation of a comprehensive National Broadband Strategy a high national priority in 2009." The group also includes prominent industry players, such as WCAI Board members Alcatel-Lucent, AT&T, Clearwire and Google, as well as consumer groups, public interest groups, educators, state and local governments, and other stakeholders in America's broadband future.

The Call to Action states that the United States urgently needs a comprehensive national broadband strategy. It sets forth a policy framework that includes the following goals: (1) open access to the Internet "to the maximum feasible extent" for all users, service providers, content providers, and application providers; (2) rights for network operators to manage their networks "responsibly, pursuant to clear and workable guidelines and standards"; (3) a competitive Internet and broadband marketplace, to the greatest extent possible; and (4) broadband network performance, capacity, and connections that US citizens need to compete successfully in the global marketplace. The Call to Action concludes with a commitment of the signatories to continue to work together to address key issues and priorities and to hold an event in the spring of 2009 to present more specific recommendations to President Obama, Congress and the American People.

WCAI is pleased to be at the forefront of the industry initiative to work with the new administration on developing a comprehensive national broadband strategy. The Call to Action joins the National Wireless Broadband Strategy for the New Administration WCAI released earlier this year, outlining recommendations to achieve universal wireless broadband access nationwide. As the only broadband platform that is capable of providing access everywhere, all the time, wireless broadband platforms offer mobility - a connection to every person whether at home or on the go. These capabilities make wireless broadband essential to achieving universal broadband connectivity.

WCAI will continue to play an active role in working with policymakers, industry players and others in the broadband ecosystem to help develop a comprehensive national broadband strategy with the goal of achieving universal wireless broadband access in the United States.