As honorary co-chair of the Broadband for America (BfA) coalition, my goal is to provide the same level of broadband access and choices to the people of rural Tennessee, as are already available to those who live in Memphis or New York City.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has been charged by the U.S. Congress to develop a National Broadband Policy by February of 2010; just about two months from now.  In fact, FCC Commissioners are in my hometown of Memphis, Tennessee today speaking to digital inclusion. 

Our goal at Broadband for America is to represent everyone who has a stake in broadband development.  We are made up of over 120 organizations and companies that have come together with a single focus; we believe deeply that spurring broadband deployment, improving adoption and enhancing skills and training is critical if America hopes to remain a strong, prosperous country of equal opportunity.

The major players in broadband have an enormous amount of experience in designing, building, maintaining and managing their networks.  They have invested hundreds of millions of dollars in the past few years to continue improving the broadband Internet experience for users.

As those networks are built out, and people understand its value, they want and need broadband in their places of business, in their homes.   

What we know is that broadband changes lives.   The ability of a family – no matter its economic circumstance, its ethnic background, or its geographic location – can benefit from having broadband in their home.

I am pleased that members of the FCC are in Memphis today and working together we will help bridge the gap between the connected and the unconnected making sure every American has broadband Internet access.

Former U.S. Representative Harold E. Ford Jr. is an honorary co-chair of Broadband for America (BfA).