FCC’s Clyburn: court decision temporary setback for broadband regulation

Clyburn said public availability of broadband Internet access is quickly becoming a civil rights issue as Web access becomes increasingly embedded in every aspect of daily life. She noted that broadband adoption is particularly low among rural Americans, minorities and the elderly due to the cost and lack of digital literacy. She said the Obama administration’s National Broadband Plan, which was released in March, would help bridge those gaps.

“People should not have to choose between paying the food bill and paying the broadband bill. Thus, one of the most important goals of the plan is that Americans have access to affordable broadband and the means and capabilities to use it,” Clyburn said.

Clyburn said she supports the creation of a National Digital Literacy Corps, which would send ambassadors to local communities to train the public on how to take advantage of broadband. She also said she supports ongoing reforms to the Universal Service Fund designed to reduce the cost of Web access and connect 99 percent of Americans by 2020.