NEWS Federal Communications Commission 445 12th Street, S.W. Washington, D. C. 20554 This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action. Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action. See MCI v. FCC. 515 F 2d 385 (D.C. Circ 1974). News Media Information 202 / 418-0500 Internet: http://www.fcc.gov TTY: 1-888-835-5322 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: NEWS MEDIA CONTACT: September 27, 2011 Neil Grace 202-418-1032 Neil.Grace@FCC.gov BROADBAND: A DRIVING FORCE FOR AMERICAN JOB CREATION & ECONOMIC GROWTH Genachowski addresses America’s broadband opportunities and challenges; lays out path for job creation, economic recovery and global competitiveness through broadband Washington, D.C. (September 27, 2011) – At the Washington, D.C. headquarters of LivingSocial today, FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski delivered an address focused on broadband in the 21st century – how high-speed Internet is creating jobs in large numbers across sectors, boosting opportunity, and driving global competitiveness. Chairman Genachowski was introduced by LivingSocial CEO and Co- Founder, Tim O’Shaughnessy and Warren Brown, Founder and Owner of CakeLove, a local small business that grew from one bakery to seven thanks to broadband-enabled tools. Chairman Genachowski delivered remarks focused on three main issues at the center of the FCC’s national broadband strategy for the 21st century. (1) Why broadband is so vital to near-term economic recovery and long-term prosperity (2) How positive developments in the broadband economy are strong reasons for optimism about America’s economic future, and (3) What we must do to address threats to our broadband economy and harness the power of high-speed Internet to spur economic growth and job creation, such as implementing voluntary incentive auctions and Universal Service Fund reform. In his remarks, Chairman Genachowski addressed the tremendous economic challenges facing millions of Americans, saying that “new technologies and a hyperconnected world mean that some categories of 20th century jobs, especially in the manufacturing sector, are unlikely ever to return at previous levels.” He continued, “It’s understandable that so many Americans worry that our country’s future won’t be as bright as our past. But it’s also true that the U.S. broadband economy is strong and growing, opening doors to new opportunity.” Chairman Genachowski said, “Our ability to meet this moment and seize the opportunities of this new technology while overcoming the challenges is critical to our economic recovery and long-term global competitiveness. No infrastructure matters more for job creation and economic growth in the 21st century than broadband Internet. We overwhelmingly rely on the private sector to build out our broadband infrastructure, and that’s the right course. But government also has an essential role to play in a number of areas.” He continued, “Many broadband jobs are software and other engineering jobs. And that’s great, because we won’t succeed in the hyperconnected, hypercompetitive 21st century economy if we’re not educating, attracting, and employing world-class engineers. “But as important, many jobs being created by the broadband economy are not engineering jobs, and are not just in Silicon Valley and other tech centers. Broadband is enabling job creation at different skill levels and all over the country.” Laying out his policy roadmap to Mobilize America, Connect America and Empower America, Chairman Genachowski spotlighted several key issues. First, unleashing spectrum for mobile broadband through voluntary incentive auctions – to Mobilize America. Second, expanding access to connect millions more schools, library and hospitals to fast, affordable Internet – to Connect America. Third, grow the rate of broadband adoption by giving Americans the necessary tools to get online – to Empower America. For the full text of Chairman Genachowski’s remarks, please visit: www.fcc.gov ###