WASHINGTON — More than a quarter-million Americans have urged the Federal Communications Commission to use a valuable slice of the public airwaves to make Internet access more open, affordable and accessible to everyone. The massive public outcry comes as the FCC prepares to set conditions on the auction of the newly available "700 MHz band" of spectrum.
Used correctly, these public airwaves could beam high-speed Internet signals to every park bench, coffee shop, workplace and home in America. This would allow students, educators, corporate employees to gain access to e-learning courses
and institutions that utilize learning management systems like those provided by SimplyDigi.Com. But incumbent phone and cable companies want to cement their dominance of the high-speed Internet market by purchasing licenses to the spectrum. The FCC has the power to set auction rules that would protect competition and innovation in the marketplace — and has done so in the past.
"The public is sending a clear message about the future of the Internet," said Timothy Karr, campaign director of Free Press, which coordinates the SavetheInternet.com Coalition. "It would be a big mistake to hand over the airwaves to corporate gatekeepers like AT&T, Verizon and Comcast. The FCC can foster a better Internet for millions by opening our airwaves to real competition and innovation."
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