Commission Document

• Print
• Email

SUPPORTING STATEMENTS FROM

CONNECT TO COMPETE

PARTNERS

Today, (November 9, 2011) at a public school in Washington, D.C., Chairman Genachowski applauded
executives and nonprofit leaders from leading Internet service providers, technology companies and
nonprofits for their unprecedented multi-billion dollar in-kind commitments to empower millions of
families with broadband Internet, PCs, and digital literacy training, with zero cost to tax payers.
Following the Chairman’s remarks, Connect to Compete partners delivered brief statements about their
commitments to help meet the broadband adoption challenge.

Michael Powell, President & CEO, National Cable & Telecommunications Association, said

, “As
the nation’s leading broadband provider, the cable industry is excited to partner with ‘Connect to
Compete’, an important initiative that will connect more students and families to the infinite world of
opportunity that broadband Internet service offers. In today’s rapidly changing information age,
providing our children with a quality education requires much more than the teaching and learning that
takes place inside of the classroom. We are proud to support this coordinated, community-based
partnership to help educate, empower and enlighten new digital citizens so that they too will benefit from
the Internet’s transformative potential.”

Pat Esser, President, Cox Communications said,

“Cox Communications and the cable industry are
proud to pledge our support for the FCC’s ‘Connect to Compete’ broadband adoption initiative, which
combines encouragement, assistance and training so that more students and families can take advantage
of the broadband opportunity. Cox has launched its own community-based broadband adoption
initiatives in California, Virginia and other markets so we have seen first-hand how the comprehensive
approach of attacking the entire broadband adoption challenge – from digital literacy to affordability to
relevance – is vitally important to making the connection a success.”

Jill Vaske, Executive Vice President of Redemtech, said, “

We are excited that our low cost Red
Rabbitt refurbished computers will enable Connect 2 Compete participants to get online. Our mission is
to serve as conduit for the large surplus of corporate and government name brand technology to deliver
great outcomes in Connect 2 Compete communities.”

Sig Behrens, Microsoft’s General Manager of U.S. Education said

, “Access to world class learning
through the power of technology can help kids stay in school, graduate, get better jobs and contribute to
economic growth. As part of the FCC’s ‘Connect to Compete’ initiative to accelerate opportunities for
low income students and their families, starting early next year, Microsoft with its hardware partners will
offer a series of affordable, high-quality education computers starting at $250 that include Windows and
Office.”

Gary Swart, CEO of oDesk, said

, “We are delighted to partner with the FCC and Connect to Compete
for the first comprehensive online training program of this kind. Online work represents boundless
opportunities for workers, regardless of their location, and as the world’s largest online workplace, oDesk
is ideally suited to educate workers on how to succeed in this field.”

Chris Masingill, Delta Regional Authority Federal Co-Chairman said

, "Access to basic technology is
the key to boosting small businesses and revitalizing communities. This new initiative will help do
exactly that - taking these communities to the next level of competitiveness, creating good-paying jobs
and boosting the region's economy. We are proud to partner with Connect to Compete to make smart
investments today to gives the competitive edge tomorrow.”
To learn more about the Connect to Compete program, visit www.connect2compete.org or
www.fcc.gov

---