Citizens for a Digital Future Supports Consumer Friendly Telecommunications Policies in South Carolina

April 8, 2009

Coalition encourages broadband deployment and adoption

COLUMBIA, SC – April 8, 2009 – Today, Citizens for a Digital Future(CDF), a national coalition whose members support consumer friendly public policies that promote adoption of and access to broadband and other digital technologies, launched in South Carolina.

Citizens for a Digital Future recognizes that many states are still operating under outdated and burdensome telecommunications regulations, said John Watson, Chairman of Citizens for a Digital Future. South Carolinians now have the benefit of VoIP, wireless, broadband and other technologies in addition to traditional wireline phones. We believe that laws that affect these services should be updated to keep the industry moving forward for consumers.

South Carolina organizations that are members of Citizens for a Digital Future include: The South Carolina Association of Taxpayers, South Carolina Action for Jobs, Citizens for Sound Conservation, Fisher Strategies, and South Carolina Agribusiness Council. The coalition recognizes that adoption of and access to broadband technology brings a multitude of benefits to consumers:

  • Education – Online learning is a growing option in education with more states offering virtual schools, increasing access to advanced courses.
  • Healthcare – Telemedicine and e-health services improve patient experience and reduce healthcare costs.
  • Economy – Broadband allows small business owners to grow and expand their businesses, promoting economic development in their communities.
  • Jobs – Investing in broadband creates network services and construction jobs and allows for telecommuting jobs.
  • Environment – Telecommuting provides the environmental benefit of reducing the number of cars on the road and therefore green house gas emissions.

As an organization that encourages government to work more efficiently, we look forward to working with Citizens for a Digital Future to promote sound policies that will incentivize rather than inhibit investment in new technologies and services for the benefit of South Carolina consumers, said Don Weaver, President of South Carolina Association of Taxpayers.

 

 About Citizens for a Digital Future

Citizens for a Digital Future is a coalition of non-profits organizations and industry members that recognizes that adoption of and access to broadband technology — and its enhancements — has become increasingly critical to the environment, education, economic development and health care, among others. Its members support and advance public policies that encourage transparency, broad deployment and robust enhancement of broadband and digital technologies.

For more information, please visit http://www.citizensforadigitalfuture.org/.