The following statement can be attributed to Charles Benton, Chairman of the Benton Foundation.
The Benton Foundation places a high value on pragmatic government policies that ensure affordable broadband networks are available to all, especially those with the greatest need. While we may not have always agreed with FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski, we do appreciate his commitment to ensuring that all Americans, regardless of age, income or geographic location, have access to affordable and robust broadband. Under his leadership, the National Broadband Plan is taking the first steps to achieve this goal. The transition of the Universal Service Fund to include broadband also promises to move the ball forward on this front. We encourage the Obama Administration to fill the chairman's position with a person fully equipped and committed to finishing this very important process.
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The Benton Foundation (benton.org) works to realize the social benefits made possible by the public interest use of communications. Bridging the worlds of philanthropy, public policy, and community action, Benton seeks to shape the emerging communications environment and to demonstrate the value of communications for solving social problems. This statement reflects the institutional view of the Foundation and, unless obvious from the text, is not intended to reflect the views of individual Foundation officers, directors, or advisors.