It's Time To Connect the Rest of America
High-speed broadband is a vital part of our nation’s infrastructure, but more than 17 million rural Americans don’t have access, according to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
Microsoft’s own data shows that about 157.3 million Americans don’t access the internet at broadband speeds. You can help close the digital divide and connect more Americans to educational, employment, and business opportunities to keep our economy growing.
Executive Briefings
Voices for Innovation’s Executive Briefings provide weekly updates on technology policy and news, including highlights from Capitol Hill, breaking tech news, clips of relevant articles from traditional and new media, and a roundup of thought leader quotes and tweets.
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VFI Leader Spotlight: Laura Peters Helps Get Families Connected
Community service is central to Laura Peters’ life—both professionally and personally. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, she has remained as engaged as ever—running her Southern California-based business (International Software Systems), hosting online events, ...
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Many states across the nation are working to bridge the #DigitalDivide as the #COVID19 pandemic continues to show us how critical it is that everyone has #broadband access: http://cnet.co/3uB1OD5
As #BlackHistoryMonth comes to an end, see how Rik van der Kooi, Corporate Vice President of @Microsoft Search Advertising, approaches his allyship: http://bit.ly/37xL7P3
#ICYMI: The @FCC created a task force to strengthen the agency’s broadband data collection process.
Learn how technology companies are working with @POTUS to fight the #COVID19 pandemic: http://politi.co/3du1Gix
“Kids shouldn't have to do homework in parking lots because that’s the only place they can get online,” said Acting Chairwoman of the @FCC Jessica Rosenworcel.
Learn how broadband is playing a role in the discussion over reopening schools: http://bit.ly/3udSMMf
.@Microsoft, along with eight other technology companies, established a partnership to discuss how to handle harmful content and behavior online: http://bit.ly/3ayDZUA
A new law introduced by @RepDelBene and @RepJohnKatko would require the @FCC to collect data on the growth of internet-connected devices in order to quantify the amount of spectrum needed to support the increased demand: http://bit.ly/3s7Ic7C
As more states look to create data privacy laws, learn about Virginia's new Consumer Data Protection Act: http://bit.ly/3k4xpbv
Check out the latest VFI Leader Spotlight blog that features Laura Peters and how she's keeping families connected during the #COVID19 pandemic: http://bit.ly/2ZzwcPS
#BlackHistoryMonth is a great time to celebrate the “Rise” of Black-owned technology businesses in the Microsoft ecosystem. The Black Channel Partner Alliance will be doing just that on Saturday, February 20th and we’ll be there! Join us. Visit http://BCPAlliance.com #BCPA
Researchers who study health disparities are concerned that racial and ethnic minorities won't be able to access the #COVID19 vaccine, even if it's offered in their #communities, because of a lack of internet access. http://bit.ly/3dae47g
What’s good for the climate is what’s good for business. That’s why @Microsoft will be carbon negative by 2030. And by 2025, all of our data centers, buildings, and campuses will have 100% supply of renewable energy.
https://msft.it/6013pAnAf
While #COVID19 has emphasized the need to narrow the #DigitalDivide, many local governments have developed policies to provide internet access to students even after the pandemic is over: http://bloom.bg/3jGhMHb
ICYMI: Senate Democrats are calling on the @FCC to bridge the homework gap and expand internet access for students: http://engt.co/2ZdZcfO
Here are key changes to Microsoft’s PAC following listening sessions w/ employees. We will suspend donations for the 2022 election cycle for elected officials and organizations who supported the election being overturned https://blogs.microsoft.com/on-the-issues/2021/02/05/changes-to-political-giving/
Microsoft President @BradSmi and CEO @satyanadella discuss more effective ways to regulate big tech than antitrust lawsuits: http://cnet.co/3d7YI31
To track the distribution of #COVID19 vaccines worldwide and in each US state, @Microsoft created a new dashboard to visualize the progress being made: http://bit.ly/2OwXWm9
“There is no issue that requires more consistent and broader multilateral collaboration than sustainability.”
Microsoft President @BradSmi underscores the critical role of governments and public policy in driving sustainability: http://bit.ly/39QGwc9
#ICYMI: Last week @Microsoft released its 2020 Environmental Stability Report. Learn about what progress is being made toward becoming a carbon negative, water positive, zero waste company: http://bit.ly/3twsWTq
Voices for Innovation on Capitol Hill
Voices for Innovation members came to Washington, DC to meet with their members of Congress and the House Small Business Committee and advocate for 21st century technology policies.
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Our Issues
Technology Brings Internet to Underserved Communities Though the United States is a global technology leader, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) 2019 broadband report indicates that more than 21 million Americans lack access to high-speed internet, including nearly 17 million people in rural communities. (...)
The United States leads the world in technology innovation, but this leadership is jeopardized by insufficient support for computer science education in our nation’s K-12 schools. We cannot maintain an innovation-driven economy and prepare students for future success in the digital economy if (...)
About
Voices for Innovation (VFI) is a Microsoft-supported community of technology professionals and everyday Americans committed to advancing discussions about the most important technology policies. As citizen advocates, we champion public policies that foster innovation, support business growth, and enable technology to address societal challenges.