A recent report compiled by the BBC World Service has revealed that "79% of Internet and non-Internet users said that they felt that internet access should be 'the fundamental right of all people'". The results from this poll taken across several countries reiterates yet again the significance of the Internet in people's lives as well as the need to increase internet access in currently unconnected areas.

One of the UK's larger media companies, Virgin Media, is planning on upgrading their broadband service to 100 mbps by the end of the year. In certain areas, Virgin has claimed to upgrading broadband service to 200 mbps. Though, these areas are not yet specified. The media company claimed:

The extra-fast service [...] will let customers download a music album in as little as five seconds, as opposed to the 75 seconds the same download would take on a 24Mbps ADSL connection.

SaveOurNet.ca wants to create a coalition comprised of musicians who support net neutrality! If you are a Canadian musician or if you support this idea, please join us!

This idea is still in the preliminary stages. We have a wiki that anyone can join and a Google group as well. Please feel free to join and add ideas!

Here's an example of what we're going for - http://futureofmusic.org/

A movement led by the Media Action Grassroots Network has named February 15 the "National Day of Action for Affordable, Open Internet". This initiative calls for open internet access free from the interference of internet service providers, as well as calling for cheap internet access for poor communities.

For more information on this story click here.

The season of love is upon us once again.

We know the open Internet, with all it's innovative services, is the real love of your life. So why not go ahead and show how much you care, make the Internet your Valentine again this year.

Show your love for the Internet:

Due to the surging use of the 3G service, the FCC is considering paying broadcasters for airwaves. They're hoping to improve high-speed Internet access by doing so. More information will be disclosed on this topic once the National Broadband Plan is delivered in March (33 days left).

Apparently at the moment, the amount of data usage is causing clogged networks. If broadcasters gave up more airwaves, an estimated $48 billion in spectrum would liberated. According to "the research", it would involve paying broadcasters about $6 billion.

Yesterday, the city of Seattle announced that the mayor, Michael McGinn, would respond to Google's request for information regarding their proposed 1Gbps fibre network. This means the city will partner with Google in building an open access fibre network for Seattle. This will inevitably reduce costs for Google.

The news release published by the city of Seattle states that McGinn shares the same vision as Google, which is connecting every home and business to a fibre network.

Google is planning to build an experimental fibre network that will give Americans a remarkable amount of Internet speed: 1 gigabit per second.

On their official blog, Google claims that this network will operate as an open access network. This will give their users a choice of multiple service providers. They also state that they will manage the network in a non-discriminatory way.

The network will also only be built in a few target cities.

Today, a press release was produced regarding the CRTC public hearing to consider the improvement of rural Internet access. See the original on OpenMedia.ca's website here or check it out below!

Date: February 5, 2010

Where is Canada's Digital Plan? That's a good question. As many of you know, Canada is lacking compared to other countries. Marc Garneau addressed this issue in the National Post yesterday. He discusses how Industry Minister Tony Clement hosted a digital economy forum last year but little came out of it. Garneau also pointed out that Clement made a couple of poor decisions last month.

Yesterday, President Barack Obama reaffirmed his belief in maintaining an open and neutral Internet. He restates that he strongly campaigned for net neutrality and is continuing to support it no matter how much push back he receives.

To watch the full interview, see the video below!