APT re-launches, focusing on broadband adoption

The Alliance for Public Technology (APT) - a Speed Matters partner - has re-launched as the National Broadband Resource Center (NBRC). The new organization will focus on spurring broadband adoption and innovation.

The NBRC will address what they call "major gap[s] in national policy" on broadband issues pertaining to low-income, rural, minority, senior, and disabled populations.

"When APT was founded twenty years ago we were the leader in the call for universal, affordable access to high quality, high speed broadband networks and services. Partially as a result of our efforts, this goal is now widely shared," said NBRC President Kenneth Peres during a panel on November 19. "With our goal now becoming part of a national agenda, APT is refocusing its efforts on an initiative promoting broadband awareness and adoption."

The move was enthusiastically welcomed by promoters of broadband adoption, including the Communications Workers of America, the American Association of People with Disabilities, Verizon, the American Foundation for the Blind, the National Caucus and Center for Black Aged and the American Library Association. "CWA wholeheartedly endorses the NBRC's efforts to foster adoption of broadband enabled services to improve the lives of all people," stated CWA President Larry Cohen, "especially those in low-income and marginalized communities."

One of the NBRC's ideas is to create a network of experts - "human hyperlinks" - to help communities overcome adoption challenges.

National Broadband Resource Center (NBRC)