Murphy Highlights Internet Access For Low-Income Communities

From U.S. Senator Chris Murphy:

Today, U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) joined State Comptroller Kevin Lembo to visit Warren Harding High School in Bridgeport and discuss efforts to expand broadband Internet access in low-income communities through Murphy’s new Broadband Adoption Act. During their visit, Murphy and Lembo met with students and school administration to listen and learn about how increased Internet access would enhance opportunities for success. They also heard an update from the state Office of Consumer Counsel on the state’s initiatives to expand Internet access in cities like Bridgeport.

The Broadband Adoption Act will reform and modernize the Universal Service Fund 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. The bill, which Murphy introduced earlier this week, will instruct the Federal Communications Commission to establish a broadband Lifeline Assistance program and will help bridge the digital divide by making in-home online services more affordable across the country.

“I first got involved in this issue when the principal of a Bridgeport high school told me that only a minority of her students have Internet at home,” said Murphy. “It’s my firm belief that all students should have access to the tools they need to excel, and the Internet is a powerful resource that helps our kids learn new skills, achieve their goals, and succeed. Today, I heard firsthand from students, and their disheartening stories made it clear just how life-changing this legislation could be for them and so many others around Connecticut.”

Connecticut Consumer Counsel Elin Katz also participated in the roundtable. Lembo and Katz are helping to lead the CTgig Project, which facilitates public-private partnerships to expand access to high-speed, low-cost Internet.

“Every student, family, household and business in the State of Connecticut deserves equal access to ultra-high-speed broadband,” said Lembo. “The future for these student–and the future for Connecticut’s entire economy–demands affordable and quality high-speed Internet service for everyone. We need to start thinking about ultra-high-speed broadband access the same way we think about schools, roads, rails and bridges. These are all infrastructure cornerstones necessary to hold up our state and must be priorities. I’m grateful to Senator Murphy for his leadership on this issue, and I look forward to continue working with him, Consumer Counsel Elin Swanson Katz and mayors and first selectmen across the state who are all fighting for Connecticut to be the first gigabit state.”

Katz said, “In this day and age, every student needs access to a broadband connection, as does every family and every citizen. It’s as essential to our lives today as electricity, and we need to find ways to bring the Internet into every home. Broadband is an essential service, and I applaud Senator Murphy for leading this important effort to make it more affordable and accessible for low-income families.”

U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) is a cosponsor of the bill.