The Association of Research Libraries (ARL) has joined the American Library Association (ALA) and EDUCAUSE in voicing support for the FCC's Notice of Inquiry (NOI) proposing a 'third way' forward on the difficult question of regulatory authority over broadband Internet access service.
Libraries, librarians, higher education and research networks, and their users all rely on a fast, reliable, and open Internet. The associations urged the FCC to act quickly and responsibly to re-establish its authority over broadband access so that it can return to its vital role in encouraging broadband rollout and adoption and protecting the openness of the Internet.
Broadband policies affect libraries, researchers, and higher education institutions in at least two ways - both as users of broadband services and as providers of Internet-based content. High-capacity broadband is the key infrastructure that libraries, community colleges, colleges, universities, and many others depend upon to provide 21st century research and educational services, job-training courses, distance learning classes, access to e-government, and computer and technology training. According to the associations, of the options outlined in the FCC's notice, the Third Way proposal is the only realistic way to protect the open Internet and to achieve the goals of the National Broadband Plan.
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