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COMPTROLLER LEMBO'S STATEMENT ON PRESIDENTIAL SUPPORT FOR BROADBAND INITIATIVES LIKE CONNECTICUT'S
Wednesday, January 14, 2015 | Contact: Tara
Downes (860.702.3308 |
Tara Downes@ct.gov)
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"The President's announcement this week - signaling strong support for
broadband initiatives like Connecticut's - is a pivotal move towards high-speed,
low-cost Internet for all consumers and businesses.
"In Connecticut, a parallel state effort - collaboratively engaging both state
and municipal leaders - seeks to deploy higher speed, reliable and more
affordable broadband service for everyone, including underserved areas. Every
business and household in Connecticut, regardless of size and wealth, should
have access to competitively priced and fast broadband service.
"I am excited to continue working as part of a Connecticut coalition of nearly
50 municipalities - coordinated by the state Office of the Consumer Counsel and
municipal leaders - to establish statewide access to ultra-high-speed broadband
service. This initiative is essential in making Connecticut, and the country,
globally competitive. Gigabit broadband service would rapidly deliver
information - serving as a superhighway for researchers, schools, businesses
large and small, and every household. It would be the ultimate economic
assistance incentive program because it would reward all business and
industries, new ones and those already established here, with a superior
infrastructure and an open door.
"As we have worked to give municipalities flexibility and remove obstacles, the
federal government can also work to eliminate regulatory barriers - and
incentivize the financing of networks through credits and other innovative
measures. This federal statement of support will provide important momentum for
Connecticut as we seek to become the first gigabit state in the nation.
"Finally, I also commend the leaders of our Connecticut partnership, including
CT Consumer Counsel Elin Swanson Katz, State Sen. Beth Bye (D-West Hartford),
New Haven Mayor Toni N. Harp, Stamford Mayor David R. Martin and West Hartford
Deputy Mayor Shari Cantor."
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