Broadband for All

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Millions of Americans have been left without affordable broadband by profit-driven corporations. Those of us who work in tech and telecom understand better than most the negative effects of the digital divide.

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted what CWA members have known for a long time. For working people, a reliable internet connection is not optional--it's an absolute necessity. And CWA members who work at Lumen and elsewhere across the country are ready to work to expand internet access to all.

That’s why CWA supports universal broadband which is affordable, high quality and accessible to all--whether you live in a rural area, in an underserved urban community, or in the mountains.

"In counties with higher populations of Native Americans – more than 25 percent of households – only about 5.2 percent have access to fiber-to-the-home service and 50 percent have DSL access"

Learn More in our 2021 Lumen Redlining Report

 

Universal service now. The Telecommunications Act of 1934 guaranteed “Universal Service” to all Americans. Yet the Universal Service promise has been broken. The pandemic has created new pressure to restore the promise of Universal Service. Even business leaders agree that Broadband for All is needed in our country. Now let’s get to work to make sure it happens.

Broadband for All requires and produces good jobs. This investment would stimulate economic growth. Those of us who work in tech and telecom need to make sure those investments benefit communities, customers and workers -- not just the corporate bottom line. Good jobs and internet equity go together, hand in hand. Once the networks are built, they must be maintained and customers served. Let’s work together to make a communications network worthy of our country and its over 300 million residents. Good Jobs and Broadband for All!

Join our Good Jobs and Broadband for All Coalition.

We are building a coalition to advocate for a program which creates good jobs by investing in bridging the digital divide. Want to be on our mailing list?

People over profits: Billions of state and federal dollars go to subsidize telecommunications corporations. In fact, telecom spends over $320K per day lobbying congress, and you can read more about the influence of the telecom industry on congress here.

We believe that this investment is necessary. In fact, we will need more investment to achieve the goal of universal service. But public money should not go to companies which use anti-worker, anti-union tactics. Public dollars earmarked for telecom should include accountability for internet quality for consumers and requirements for good jobs and workers rights.

For example, CWA members are urging the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to oppose CenturyLink/Lumen’s attempt to eliminate service quality rules that protect customers. CWA’s analysis revealed that the company is prioritizing network upgrades to wealthier areas, leaving lower income communities with outdated technologies. Learn more about CWA's actions in MN here.

Watch CWA's Chris Shelton testify to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce on the need for Broadband For All!

Broadband for All resources