Citizens for a Digital Future recognizes that adoption of and access to broadband technology -- and its enhancements -- has become increasingly critical to the environment, for education, economic development and health care, among others. Our members support and advance public policies that encourage broad deployment and robust enhancement of broadband and digital technologies.
Below are a few of the issues in which Citizens for Digital Future is engaged:
Broadband deployment – The coalition supports sound policies that encourage deployment and enhancement of broadband, but place reasonable expectations on broadband providers and do not inadvertently harm consumers with cumbersome regulation.
Access fee system reform – Access fees are currently imposed on telephone service providers in many states with large rural areas. The purpose of the fees is to provide funds to help keep rural areas connected. These fees are usually wrapped up as a hidden cost in the rates consumers pay. Keeping rural areas connected is critical, but the current system is outdated and now has unintended results that are hurting consumers. One example is that these fees make it more expensive to call in-state than out-of-state.For more information about this issue, please click on the following topics of interest:
Laws that keep pace with technology – Some telecommunications laws are outdated with language that is more relevant to the telecommunications features and services of the past. Telecommunications is a constantly evolving industry as can be seen in the growth of the wireless market in the last ten years alone. Updated telecommunications laws would bring a host of benefits to consumers including increased investment. The coalition supports reexamining laws that apply to these products and services and updating them, where appropriate, to keep pace with the constantly changing needs of today’s telecommunications and technology market. Any public policies, new or old, should help create markets that are more attractive to investment in broadband and digital and new technologies.
Wireless – With the advent of the smartphone, wireless broadband represents the new wave of telecommunications world-wide. As wireline connections are updated to wireless capabilities and wireless technologies continue to expand, consumers have the ability to access and receive information and stay connected around the world unencumbered by restrictions of landlines, whether it be from a coffee shop in your home town or a sidewalk in France. It is necessary to maintain a regulatory environment that supports and encourages the technological advancements associated with wireless.
Glossary – Information and definitions about some of the terms used when discussing broadband and digital technology issues.
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