Connected Nation is in my opinion BOGUS

Connected Nation is run by, and boasts of its connections to, telephone and cable companies. It accepts public funds in the millions of dollars to conduct a public function—mapping of broadband.  My attempts to get information from its Ohio USA group Connect Ohio – has been simply – next to impossible!

So why does an organization who is responsible to “map the nations broadband access” in order to help the nation distribute millions of dollars in order to get the rural areas connected worry me?

Just take a look at the Connect Board of Directors. There are 12 outside directors, eight of which are directly in the orbit of network operators. They are not small players by any stretch:

• James W. Cicconi – AT&T senior executive vice president-external and legislative affairs
• Steve Largent – CTIA – The Wireless Association president and CEO
• Joseph W. Waz – Comcast senior vice president, external affairs and public policy
counsel
• Larry Cohen – Communications Workers of America president. CWA is in frequent
agreement with telecom companies on policy issues.
• Thomas J. Tauke – Verizon executive vice president for public affairs, policy and
communication
• Walter B. McCormick – United States Telecom Association president
• Kyle E. McSlarrow – National Cable and Telecommunications Association president
• Grant Seiffert – Telecommunications Industry Association president. (The members are
the equipment makers who sell their gear to the telecom industry.)

For more information and an excellent write up follow this link:  http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&ct=res&cd=3&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ntia.doc.gov%2Fbroadbandgrants%2Fcomments%2F61BC.pdf&ei=nZyVSsFZxrC2B_GOpPIH&usg=AFQjCNEoIJduZZQjwMQUN150Zp_SW0Gmtg&sig2=xUaiOVK2otU2F6GFry7hCQ