February 16, 2012
Calls for modernization of government to reflect the Internet Age
WASHINGTON, D.C. – February 16, 2012 – The Internet Innovation Alliance (IIA), a broad-based coalition supporting broadband access and adoption for all Americans, today issued the following statement based on the House Subcommittee on Communications and Technology hearing on the “The Budget and Spending of the Federal Communications Commission”:
“While today’s hearing examines the FCC’s programs and finances, it’s important to recognize that the Commission is basing its work on a shaky foundation.
“In 1996 – the last time telecommunications laws were overhauled – Google didn’t exist, the Internet had 100,000 websites, and most people were still exhilarated by the buzz of a successful dial-up Internet connection. Wireless communications were limited to basic cell phones and Skypagers, and the newly released Palm Pilot PDA had to be docked onto a computer to download email.
“Today, there are hundreds of millions of websites; television is available via the Internet; the Internet is available on cell phones; and phone calls are made using cable TV infrastructure. Telecommunications networks have converged beyond anyone’s imagination.
“No one would use a 16 year-old laptop, cell phone or computer server. Yet the FCC operates with a 16 year-old operating system, an anachronistic governing statute that pre-dates Google and smart phones and undermines today’s innovation ecosystem. For the sake of tech and telecom sector growth and creativity, the IIA encourages policy makers to modernize the government for an Internet age and consider that less is often more when it comes to regulating a rapidly evolving industry.”
For more information about the IIA visit, https://internetinnovation.org/.
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About The Internet Innovation Alliance
The Internet Innovation Alliance was founded in 2004 and is a broad-based coalition supporting broadband availability and access for all Americans, including underserved and rural communities. It aims to ensure every American, regardless of race, income or geography, has access to this critical tool. The IIA seeks to promote public policies that leverage the power of entrepreneurs and the market to achieve universal broadband availability and adoption.
For more information contact:
Lauren DuBois
(917) 573-2485
[email protected]