S. 1492, the Broadband Data Improvement Act, will spur the creation of statewide broadband initiatives modeled on Connected Nation’s successful proof of concept project, ConnectKentucky

Washington, DC: Today, Connected Nation, a national 501c3 non-profit known widely for its ability to improve digital inclusion, hailed the passage of S. 1492, the Broadband Data Improvement Act, in both chambers of the U.S. Congress.

In addition to improving the quality of data the federal government will collect regarding household access to broadband services, the Broadband Data Improvement Act creates the America’s first national broadband policy. The policy’s foundation is the successful and widely-praised approach to accelerate the positive impact of technology, modeled upon Connected Nation’s proof of concept projects in states such as Kentucky, Ohio and Tennessee.

“By passing this bill unanimously in both the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives, every member of Congress has promoted the importance of broadband and the related technologies that are enabled when communities and families have the ability and desire to connect to a world of opportunity,” said Brian Mefford, CEO of Connected Nation, Inc. “We appreciate Senator Corker’s support of the Connected Tennessee initiative and leadership on this matter. Through his support of this broadband legislation, he has demonstrated an appreciation of the need to ensure that all people, regardless of their location or socio-economic status, should have the ability to realize the promises of technology.”

The Broadband Data Improvement Act creates a national grant program that will provide grants to states to create statewide broadband initiatives. These initiatives will follow Connected Nation’s suggested combination of broadband availability mapping, grassroots demand aggregation, extensive research, and efforts to put computers into the hands of disadvantaged communities. Connected Nation’s work in its project states has helped to radically increase both the expansion of broadband into previously unserved areas and household broadband adoption, and Connected Nation testified to Congress four times in 2007 and 2008 on the importance of this legislation to improving America’s broadband progress.

“Connected Nation is heartened by both the bipartisanship demonstrated in the passage of this crucial legislation and the wide coalition of groups and interests that joined together to ensure it was passed before Congress adjourns. For the United States, this new broadband policy will mean better education, more jobs, improved healthcare, more efficient government and a better quality of life accessible for all Americans, regardless of their location or socio-economic circumstances,” said Mr. Mefford.

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About Connected Nation: Connected Nation is a national non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that expands access to and use of broadband Internet and the related technologies that are enabled when individuals and communities have the opportunity and desire to connect. Connected Nation has a proven track record of effectively raising awareness of the value of broadband and related technologies by developing coalitions of influencers and enablers for technology deployment and adoption. Connected Nation works with community stakeholders, states and technology providers to develop and implement technology expansion programs with core competencies centered around a mission to improve digital inclusion for people and places previously underserved or overlooked.

For more information about Connected Nation, Inc., visit www.connectednation.org.

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