Program Updates

CEO Rey Ramsey Testifies Before Congressional Panel on Universal Broadband Access

On June 24, One Economy Chief Executive Officer Rey Ramsey gave testimony on the importance of universal service at a hearing by the House Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet.
The subcommittee met to evaluate accountability and spending limits in the allocation of Universal Services Fund (USF) resources, as well as the question of providing universal broadband across the nation.

“Efforts that are less about a specific technology and more about education and creating a culture of use are needed to ensure that the benefits of the Digital Age are reaching the communities that need them most,” said Ramsey, who stressed the importance of both access and content.

“Government can play a role in stimulating demand,” Ramsey added. “A policy that brings the traditional conception of universal service into the digital age, while addressing the broad spectrum of reasons why people are not online, will improve the lives of millions of Americans.”

Witness George Lucas, founder and chairman of The George Lucas Educational Foundation agreed: “We must recognize the even greater possibilities made possible by broadband and wireless and expand the program to keep pace with technology.”

Ramsey’s complete written testimony is available for download in our press room.

One Economy and NetEquality Join

Since its inception, One Economy has brought internet access to thousands of low-income families in America and Globally. Now, through a new partnership with NetEquality, a Portland-based nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free Internet access to low-income communities, One Economy hopes to connect many more hundreds of thousands of low-income families with broadband.

One Economy recently acquired NetEquality, an organization that has worked for three years to develop a strong remote web-based network monitoring capability; detailed user-friendly documentation on how to design, install, and monitor wireless mesh networks; and an online store that distributes wireless mesh hardware to others throughout the world looking for low-cost internet access solutions. Working with One Economy, NetEquality is poised to leverage their skills, knowledge, products, and services to reach a larger audience and magnify their impact.

“The Internet—broadband in particular—is the most dynamic tool of the 21st century. It ought to be a national imperative to make sure everyone has access. For low-income people, the Internet holds the key to better jobs, health care and education,” said One Economy Chief Executive Officer Rey Ramsey. “Our combined effort with NetEquality will bring vital information into low-income households around the country and the world.”

This acquisition is part of a larger campaign, launching in April, to bring broadband into the homes of 500,000 low-income Americans during the next two years. To help reach that goal, One Economy will partner with 75 municipalities to connect communities to the benefits of technology.