WASHINGTON, D.C. - Broadband for America (BfA) Honorary Co-Chairmen Harold Ford, Jr. and John Sununu today issued the following statement in response to the August 2011 Bureau of Labor Statistics jobs report: 

John Sununu, former U.S. Senator from New Hampshire said, “With 14 million Americans out of work, America remains mired in the eye of an economic hurricane.  The broadband industry is a path out of the storm.”      

“Despite the recession and stunted economic growth, broadband providers have invested more than $250 billion in the last three years and are responsible for supporting more than 6 million tech jobs nationwide,” said Sununu.   

Former U.S. Representative Harold Ford, Jr. from Tennessee said, “A recent study by Deloitte estimates that for every increase of $1 million in wireless broadband investment, about 15 new U.S. jobs are created.  Similar numbers exist for fixed location broadband as well.”  

“The broadband industry’s success is the result of a moderate, competitive regulatory environment.  Smarter regulations lead to higher private investment resulting in more jobs,” Ford continued.  

Sununu concluded, “It is imperative that policymakers learn from the sectors of the American economy that are succeeding.  Maintaining a competitive regulatory environment will ensure continued investment, innovation, and job creation.”

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About Broadband for America

Broadband for America (BfA) is a growing coalition of over 300 members ranging from independent consumer advocacy groups, to content and application providers, to the companies which build and maintain the Internet. The complete BfA membership list is available at: http://www.broadbandforamerica.com/about/members