Senator Jay Rockefeller (D-WV)

August 15, 2007

Remarks on Verizon Broadband Announcement

By Senator Jay Rockefeller

For 10 years, I’ve been working to develop a nationwide strategy for universal access to high-speed broadband. But, since the federal government has unfortunately not done enough in developing a broadband policy that would reach that objective, we’re relying on states and private partners to take the lead.

This is enormously important -- especially in our rural, historically underserved areas.

Today’s announcement – which is driven by the partnership between Verizon, Connected Nation and the state of West Virginia – is an important first step toward reaching that goal. And I’m very pleased that Verizon and Governor Manchin are taking action to address our broadband needs.

Initiatives like this one are what we need to make sure West Virginia is a leader in technology innovation. And I believe that mapping -- which was one of the needs we identified at the Broadband Summit here in southern West Virginia last year -- and grassroots education efforts are crucial first steps in that endeavor:

By mapping out our state’s underserved areas, we will be better equipped to get broadband to the households and businesses that currently lack it.
And by educating people on how to use the Internet, and how important it is to their futures – in education, in business, and in their day-to-day lives – we’ll be even more prepared to spread broadband across the state.

Even though it might seem like a small step to some, I believe that without a concerted effort to expand broadband technology – one that includes investments like the one we’re celebrating today -- West Virginia risks falling behind the rest of the country, and the rest of the world.

We can’t afford to let that happen.

Each generation has experienced an infrastructure leap that required a lot of hard work, collaboration and innovative thinking. For our generation, I believe that leap is the expansion of broadband technology – which is fundamentally reworking the way we see the world.

As broadband expands, so do our possibilities. High-speed internet is now essential for our health care system, our educational opportunities, and our economy -- especially in rural areas.

We made an enormous stride 10 years ago, when we first began the E-Rate program – which, I’m proud to say, has wired each school and library in West Virginia to the Internet.

But there’s a lot more progress to be made. The world is moving to fiber-optic technology, and West Virginians need not only the current technology we can provide them – but also the next generation broadband technology that we’ll need in the future.

That’s why I’ve introduced a resolution in the Senate which states that the U.S. should develop a comprehensive broadband policy, and that it should be the goal of the U.S. to bring next generation broadband networks capable of delivering 100 megabits of capacity to each and every American.

This type of expanded connectivity could truly change our lives.

With next generation technologies, someone here in Danville could get a medical diagnosis from a doctor in North Carolina – without ever leaving their home.
A scientist or researcher at one of our universities could monitor ocean floor vents from their office.
Or a music student in Beckley could study with an instructor in Japan.

These are the real possibilities we stand to see -- which is why we need to provide everyone with the benefits that a powerful broadband network can bring.

I believe that today is a positive step in that direction, but it is a foundational step. It lays the groundwork for more broadband, and Verizon knows very well that I’ll be back at them, and all the other service providers, before the ink is dry on this map – to get more of the real thing – more of the actual connections for West Virginians.

West Virginians need tangible results. And what’s great about today is that we have the partnership in place – public and private – to get us there.

Thank you.

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Remarks on Verizon Broadband Announcement

By Senator Jay Rockefeller