Rev. Jesse Jackson Endorses M2Z Networks' Plan for Free, Family-Friendly Nationwide Broadband
"The RPC supports M2Z Networks, Inc.'s (M2Z) plan to level the playing field for broadband access in the United States and to help connect millions of underserved Americans," wrote Jackson in the letter, adding "Moreover, we believe that the FCC has a moral obligation to promote justice and equality by extending the critical opportunities of the information age to all Americans."
"For more than 16 months since we first proposed our plan to the FCC, M2Z has been ready to provide a free and family-friendly broadband Internet service across the country," said M2Z Networks' co-founder and CEO John Muleta. Muleta added, "We have consistently urged swift action to put fallow spectrum to use so that all Americans, not just some Americans, can enjoy the right to full participation in the digital age and fulfillment of the American Dream. This is the FCC's statutory obligation to the American people."
Section I of the Communications Act requires the FCC to act to make communications services available to the public at reasonable charges "without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, or sex, a rapid, efficient, nationwide, and world-wide wire and radio communication service with adequate facilities at reasonable charges." Is this vein, Rev. Jackson wrote "It is critical the FCC make it a priority to establish a free nationwide broadband network as the benefits of broadband cannot be reserved only for those members of our society with sufficient disposable income to afford a monthly high-speed connection."
RPC is a combination of a grassroots and a political organization merged together in 1997, which seeks to protect, defend and gain civil rights and to even the economic and educational playing fields in all aspects of American life and to bring peace to the world. Rev. Jesse L. Jackson Sr. is the founder and President of RPC.
Rev. Jackson and RPC join thousands of national organizations, local and state officials, Members of Congress, and American citizens already in support of M2Z's plan to bring free and family-friendly broadband Internet to all Americans. Supporters include: ACORN, the National PTA, the Minority Media and Telecommunications Council and the One Economy Corporation. To view additional letters in support of M2Z, please visit: www.M2ZNetworks.com/letters.
About M2Z Networks:
Founded in 2005 and headquartered in Menlo Park, Calif., M2Z Networks' goal is to transform the current state of the broadband marketplace by building a high-speed wireless network throughout the United States. In May 2006, the company submitted a license application to the FCC to construct and operate a nationwide broadband wireless network in the 2155-2175 MHz spectrum band. Approval of the initiative, to which the FCC recently has indicated it would extend consideration in a forthcoming rulemaking, would guarantee delivery of free, fast and family-friendly wireless broadband service to at least 95 percent of Americans in a 10 year timeframe. The service will be supported by locally targeted search results and will include a network-level filter to shield children using the service from indecent content. If licensed, M2Z would pay the U.S. Treasury 5 percent of annual gross revenues from its premium subscription services, which could total payments of up to $1 billion over 15 years. The introduction of M2Z's broadband service would generate $18 to $32 billion in direct consumer benefits over the next 15 years according to two uncontested economic studies. M2Z is backed by Kleiner, Perkins, Caufield and Byers; Charles River Ventures; and Redpoint Ventures; three of the most successful venture capital firms in Silicon Valley with $5 billon of capital under management. For more information, please visit www.M2ZNetworks.com and www.FreeBroadbandNow.org
About The Rainbow PUSH Coalition:
The Rainbow PUSH Coalition is a progressive organization protecting, defending and expanding civil rights to improve economic and educational opportunity. The organization is headquartered at 930 E. 50th St. in Chicago. For more information about the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, please visit the organization's Web site, http://www.rainbowpush.org/, or telephone (773) 373-3366.