Senator John Kerry (D-Mass.) Chairman of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship today announced Federal Communications Commissioners Michael J. Copps and Jonathan S. Adelstein will testify at a hearing Wednesday on improving internet access for small businesses to help them compete in a global economy. They will join small businesses and other experts to examine the state of U.S. broadband policy and its impact on the nation’s small businesses.

Unlike many of our international counterparts, the U.S. lacks an effective broadband strategy. Some government and business leaders caution that America’s economic competitiveness might be compromised because other countries are deploying robust broadband infrastructure that spurs innovation and job growth.

The hearing is titled “Improving Internet Access to Help Small Business Compete in a Global Economy” and will begin on Wednesday, September 26, 2007, at 10:00 a.m.

The hearing will be webcast live in real time at http://sbc.senate.gov

Appearing before the Committee will be:

— Michael J. Copps, Commissioner, Federal Communications Commission
— Jonathan S. Adelstein, Commissioner, Federal Communications Commission
— Doug Levin, CEO, Black Duck Software
— Ben Scott, Policy Director, Free Press
— Brian Mefford, President and Chief Executive Officer, ConnectKentucky and Connected Nation, Inc.
— Dr. Scott Wallsten, Senior Fellow and Director of Communications Policy Studies, Progress and Freedom Foundation