Tell the FCC:
“Don’t Break the Internet Before Rural Gets It”
“Don’t Allow Internet Providers to Redline Rural Communities”
Submit Comments before the July 18th –
Deadline Extended
The Federal Communications Commission proposed rules that would allow Internet providers to create fast lanes for those who can afford the extra fees and a slow dirt road for the rest of us. But that’s not all! The weak rules also allow Internet providers to redline rural businesses, towns, and customers altogether.
As it is, 14.5 million people who live in rural areas have absolutely no access to Internet service. We deserve full access to the Internet. To stop this discrimination in its tracks, the FCC must reclassify Internet Service as a Title II Telecommunications service. That is why the Rural Broadband Policy Group needs you to email the FCC.
The FCC needs to hear that rural communities support Title II.
If you are a rural business owner, artist or advocate, please tell the FCC you support Title II Reclassification.
Click here to send your email to the FCC today.
Deadline is Tuesday, July 15th
Below are sample messages you can send to the FCC
For additional information, go to the Net Neutrality Resources Webpage our friends at Free Press created and read the Daily Yonder Op-Ed explaining how the proposed rules leave rural stuck in a slow lane.
Please share this call to action with your friends and networks.
Thank you for bringing your much needed rural voice to the Internet!
For more information, please contact Edyael Casaperalta, Rural Broadband Policy Group Coordinator, at edyael@ruralstrategies.org.
SAMPLE MESSAGES
Rural Entrepreneurs
The Internet takes rural businesses, start-ups, and innovators to global customers. Yet, 14.5 million rural Americans do not have access to broadband service. Lack of access to this vital tool closes routes for rural entrepreneurs to contribute to the progress of our nation. Allowing Internet providers to sell fast Internet lanes to those who can afford them leaves rural businesses stuck in the digital dirt road.
To prohibit fast lanes and guarantee that all American entrepreneurs have full access to the Internet, the FCC must classify Internet service as a Title II Telecommunications Service.
FCC, don’t leave rural entrepreneurs stuck in the digital dirt road! Reclassify Internet service as a Title II service and establish the strongest Network Neutrality rules possible. Rural entrepreneurs, innovators, and business owners working to strengthen our national economy need Title II.
Rural Artists
The Internet exposes rural art, music, stories, and culture to global audiences. Rural artists, filmmakers, journalists, musicians, and creatives are our ambassadors in this cultural exchange. Yet, 14.5 million rural Americans do not have access to broadband service. Lack of access to this vital tool closes the most accessible venue for rural artists. Allowing Internet providers to sell fast Internet lanes to those who can afford them leaves rural talent locked out of the national and global stage.
To prohibit fast lanes and guarantee all American artists have full access to the Internet, the FCC must classify Internet service as a Title II Telecommunications Service.
FCC, don’t lock out rural artists! Reclassify Internet service as a Title II service and establish the strongest Network Neutrality rules possible. Rural musicians, filmmakers, journalists, and creatives showcasing the wealth and diversity of American culture need Title II.
Don’t Redline Rural Communities
Broadband service has become a necessity in our society. People need Internet service to apply for jobs, sign-up for healthcare, complete homework, launch a business, and communicate with elected officials. Yet, 14.5 million rural Americans do not have access to broadband service in their home.
Allowing Internet providers to sell fast Internet lanes to those who can afford them would permit the redlining of rural towns and customers who cannot pay for the fast lanes. These Internet providers would claim the low population density of rural areas is not profitable and use it as an excuse to deliberately avoid serving rural communities.
To guarantee that every person in our country can get online and access vital services, the FCC must reclassify Internet service as a Title II Telecommunications Service.
FCC, don’t allow Internet providers to redline rural communities! Reclassify Internet as a Title II service and implement strong consumer protections that prohibit Internet providers from neglecting rural people.
Rural Advocates
The Internet is a platform where rural people can speak for themselves and on behalf of their communities to wider audiences. Net Neutrality grants equal opportunity to every idea and helps ensure that rural communities do not experience the same lack of representation they have in other media platforms where rural voices are excluded.
Yet, 14.5 million rural Americans do not have access to broadband service. And allowing Internet providers to sell fast Internet lanes to those who can afford them is like selling megaphones to the rich and leaving rural people without a voice.
To prohibit fast lanes and guarantee all American voices have full access to the Internet, the FCC must classify Internet service as a Title II Telecommunications Service
FCC, don’t silence rural communities! Reclassify Internet service as a Title II service and establish the strongest Network Neutrality rules possible. Net neutrality makes the Internet a vital platform for rural people to create and share our own images. Rural people working to present a genuine portrayal of America need Title II.
