Seventy-six percent of surveyed Americans view Internet service as important as electricity and water service, yet millions lack access to it. A new data project by Consumer Reports aims to change that
In 2014, Sir Tim Berners-Lee took The Webby Awards stage to celebrate 25 years of the world wide web. He relayed an important message about its original promise: “The Internet has got to be free, open and neutral.”
On a basic level, achieving this promise is only possible if broadband access is available to everyone. The harsh reality is that in the United States, millions of people lack access to high-speed Internet or simply can’t afford it, and this disproportionately impacts Black, Latinx, Indigenous, rural or low-income communities. Those who can afford Internet services often find themselves locked into contracts with high bills and slow speeds.
Consumer Reports is looking to change that by gathering data about Americans’ Internet bills in their new research project Broadband Together.
Consumer Reports is asking participants to answer a quick survey about their Internet speeds and upload a copy of their Internet bills, to reveal what Americans are really paying for high-speed internet service. As a Netted reader, we know that you care about the Internet and all that is possible with access to it, so we want to encourage your participation in this important project.
They will use the project results to press the government and ISPs to make broadband Internet more affordable and accessible, for everyone. Your participation is timely—the House of Representatives will soon debate a new infrastructure bill that would allocate $65 billion to improve broadband access for lower-income households and in rural areas!
It only takes seven minutes to participate in Broadband Together and fight for a fair Internet!
