Western Massachusetts Broadband Forum
From Save the internet.com:
Raise Your Voice About the Future of the Internet in Western Massachusetts.
One-third of the towns in Western Massachusetts have no access to high-speed internet, while many other communities have limited access. Join concerned citizens from across Western Massachusetts who are speaking out for a open and accessible internet for all.
WHAT: A Broadband Forum for Western Massachusetts
WHEN: Saturday March 1, 2008
TIME: 8:30 am to 3:00pm
WHERE: Clarion Hotel, Northampton, MA
RSVP: The event is free and open to the public, but organizers ask that you RSVP at their website.
Featured Speakers:
- U.S. Senator John Kerry
- Lieutenant Governor Timothy P. Murray
- Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein, Federal Communications Commission
- Curtis M. Anderson, Rural Development Utilities Programs at the U.S. Department of Agriculture
- Donna Baron, Five Colleges, Inc.
- George Brodeur, Pioneer Valley Connect & Berkshire Connect
- Maureen Connolly, Economic Development Council of Northern VT
- Ben Dobbs, Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development
- Don Dubendorf, Berkshire Connect & MTC’s Innovation Institute
- Linda Dunlavy, Franklin Regional Council of Governments
- Commissioner Sharon Gillett, MA Department of Telecommunications and Cable
- Commissioner Robert McDowell, Federal Communications Commission
- Robert Pura, Greenfield Community College
- Ben Scott, Policy Director, Free Press
Last year Governor Deval Patrick introduced important legislation to help connect Western Massachusetts. Lawmakers have been working closely with the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative and Pioneer Valley and Berkshire Connects to support this bill. Their leadership has set the stage to develop new infrastructure in Western Massachusetts that will spur economic development, foster distance learning and telecommuting opportunities, enhance public safety, and improve quality of life.
This bill would invest $25 million in taxpayer dollars to connect communities across the state. However, without the input from citizens like you this legislation could fail to deliver the quality of service, availability, and affordability Western Mass communities need.
A public investment of this sort, must be accompanied by strong public interest protections to assure competition and openness on the Internet. Any company who benefits from these public funds ought to commit to creating a balanced playing field. We need to ensure that no company can block or slow down Internet content based on who’s sending it. It is the principle that has guided the Internet since its birth.
Your policy makers need to hear from you. Please join us at this important event and be sure to stop by the Free Press booth.
For more information on the event, click here. This event is being sponsored by Senator Stanley Rosenberg, Representative Stephen Kulik and the Western Massachusetts Legislative Delegation, MA Executive Office of Housing & Economic Development as well as MTC’s John Adams Innovation Institute, Pioneer Valley Connect and Berkshire Connect, Inc.
