A message from the freepress campaign, working to keep the series of tubes a place where anyone can communicate. Once again, all categories checked, because keeping the Internet open is important to every issue:

Last week, a quarter-million people came out in force to tell the Federal Communications Commission to open the public airwaves to build a better, cheaper Internet for everyone.

Big phone and cable companies are pressuring the FCC to do the opposite: give them control of a new slice of airwaves, so they can block wireless Internet competition and continue to gouge consumers.

We can stop that from happening by opening up these airwaves to a new alternative. If used right, they can revolutionize Internet access by beaming high-speed connections to every park bench, schoolroom, workplace or home in America.

Sen. Gordon Smith should speak out on behalf of an open Internet. He sits on the Commerce Committee, which is holding an important hearing on the issue this Thursday. Please call Senator Smith and urge him to open up our airwaves:

Sen. Gordon Smith
Phone: (202) 224-3753

Tell the senator: “The FCC should set aside at least half of the available airwaves for ‘open access’ so that we can have real competition and innovation in wireless Internet services.”

The FCC has the power to decide how to allocate this “700 megahertz spectrum.” These newly available airwaves are a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to bridge the digital divide by bringing Internet access to millions of families who have been passed over by the phone and cable giants.

It’s important to specifically ask your senator to speak out on behalf of “open access,” so that new entrepreneurs can use these airwaves to offer cheaper and more inventive alternatives. By speaking out during the Thursday hearing, Sen. Smith can have a major impact on the FCC’s decision.

Companies like AT&T, Verizon and Comcast don’t want competition. If the FCC simply gives them exclusive rights to the airwaves, they will stifle innovation and become permanent gatekeepers to the Internet.

You can help make the Internet better for more people. Call Senator Smith:

Sen. Gordon Smith
Phone: (202) 224-3753

After you call, tell us about your call so we can track your Senator’s response.

Thanks for taking action,

Ben Scott
Policy Director
Free Press
www.freepress.net
SavetheInternet
www.savetheinternet.com

1. Learn more about the wireless Internet revolution at SavetheInternet.com: www.savetheinternet.com/blog/2007/05/25/the-internet-revolution-is-in-the-air/

2. If you haven’t filed your FCC comments already, take action today: www.savetheinternet.com/airwaves

3. Support SavetheInternet.com’s efforts to build a better Internet for everyone: https://secure.freepress.net/05/net_neutrality

[That last one is a donation link, if you are so moved.]

This entry was posted on Wednesday, June 13th, 2007 at 6:10 am and is filed under Disaster Preparedness, Economy, Education, Elections, Energy Future, Environment, Equal/Civil Rights, Faith and Politics, Gambling in Oregon, General, Health Care, Livability, Walmart & Big Boxes. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.