Internet Innovation Alliance
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Contents
Overview and History
The Internet Innovation Alliance (IIA) was created to promote internet policies that "aim to ensure that every American...has access to broadband internet.[1]" While the IAA claims to be a collaboration of non-profit and business organizations, its membership list includes no consumer groups. The membership list does, however, include a number of business organizations - AT&T being the most notable.
Undisclosed ties to AT&T
The chairman of IIA, former Democratic Congressman Rick Boucher, is a partner in the law firm of Sidley Austin, which has represented AT&T for over 100 years. Boucher's relationship to AT&T was not disclosed in the group's filings, nor was it disclosed in a press conference the group held on June 16, 2011, featuring rural broadband advocates. An article in EWeek.com called the IIA a front for AT&T. [2]
Issues and Campaigns
In 2004 the IAA praised network neutrality and condemned SBC Communications, which later adopted the AT&T name, for plans to charge fees to web-based telephone providers. The IAA called this "discriminatory in nature" and "a dangerous first step toward eradicating the vast array of benefits services..." [3]
In 2010 the IAA took no action when the head of SBC Communications stated that broadband internet providers should be allowed to charge fees to web-based telephone providers. This statement was made during the final stages of SBC Communications merger with AT&T, one of the IAA's most prominent members.
Lobbying Reports & Campaign Spending
In 2004 the IAA spent $150,00 in lobbying efforts. This jumped up to $300,000 in 2005 and 2006. The total amount of IAA expenses in lobbying reached $350,000 by 2007.
Members
- American Council of the Blind
- American Conservative Union (ACU)
- Applied Optoelectronics Inc.
- Alcatel - Lucent
- Americans for Tax Reform
- AT&T
- BTech
- Berry Test Sets
- Communications Technology Solutions (CBM)
- Ciena
- Condux
- CompTIA
- Connected Nation
- Corning
- United States Cattlemen's
- Fiber Control
- Go Foton
- Grange
- American Homeowners Grassroots Alliance
- Hispanic Technology and Telecommunications Alliance
- Independent Technologies
- Independent Women's Forum
- JACL National
- LCLAA
- LULAC
- international agriculture council
- Metro Tel Corp
- Minerva Networks
- National Association for Female Executives (NAFE)
- NAN
- Coalition of Black Civic Participation
- National Health Collaborative
- National Black Chamber of Commerce
- National Puerto Rico Coalition
- NSCIA
- Oasis
- Prysmian
- SBE Council
- Sumitomo Electric
- SDI
- Senior Net
- SNC
- Suttle
- Telesync
- TechAmerica
- Usiaa
- Wipp
- Asian Women in Business
Board of Directors
- Rick Boucher, Honorary Chairman
- Bruce P. Mehlman, Co-Chairman
- Jamal Simmons, Co-Chairman
- Henry Rivera, Strategic Counsel
- Broderick Johnson, Senior Advisor
Contact
Internet Innovation Alliance
PO Box 19231
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: (866) 970-8647
email:
Bruce Mehiman: bruce@internetinnovation.org
Media Inquiries: lauren@intrnetinnovation.org
rob@internetinnovation.org
General Questions: info@internetinnovation.org
