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Williams to Meet with the Federal Communications Commission

August 19, 2009

Assistant Professor Kate Williams testified Wednesday, August 19 at a meeting of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in order to discuss the adoption and utilization of broadband service.

"I'm glad to be testifying to the FCC because they are looking for ways to measure broadband use in the United States, and we have some practical suggestions," she said. "Broadband is in some ways the newest digital divide, and the U.S. is on the wrong side of it, slipping behind. Our community informatics research combined with new federal policies is part of the solution."

As part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, the FCC has been asked by the federal government to create a National Broadband Plan by early February, 2010. The plan will outline the ways in which federal, state, and local governments can ensure that all Americans have high-speed access to the Internet. As they gather information in the creation of this plan, they are consulting experts, such as Williams whose research interests include the relationship between social networks, social capital, and the use of information and communications technology, particularly in low-income communities.

Other members of the panel testifying with Williams include:

• Susannah Fox, Associate Director, Digital Strategy, Pew Internet & American Life Project
• Peter L. Stenberg, Ph.D., Regional Economist, Economic Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture
• Christopher Guttman-McCabe, Vice-President, Regulatory Affairs, CTIA-The Wireless Association
• Link Hoewing, Assistant Vice President of Internet and Technology Issues, Verizon
• Karen Archer Perry, Director of Community Outreach & Programs, Knight Center of Digital Excellence

The workshop will be made available online. For more information, visit the workshop Web site.

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