President Obama took his State of the Union tour to Iowa on Wednesday, where he accused big companies of limiting competition for high-speed Internet, rolling out his latest policy prescription in advance of his address to the nation in coming days.
“Some big companies are doing everything they can to keep out competitors,” Obama said in Cedar Falls, Iowa. “In some states, it is virtually impossible to create a community network. We’re going to change that.”
The stop in Iowa comes after Obama traveled to Phoenix to promote housing initiatives; Detroit, to tout the auto bailout; and Tennessee, to call for free community college.
Obama is attempting to ramp up pressure on Republicans to support his economic proposals, even as conservatives control both the House and Senate.
The president’s broadband initiative would not require congressional approval, the White House says.
Obama is calling on the Federal Communications Commission to make it easier for communities to set up their own high-speed Internet access. The administration is pledging financial aid to cities that do so.
However, telecom giants like Comcast and AT&T oppose the president’s efforts, setting up a likely battle with the White House.
“You wonder why your rates get jacked up, when service doesn’t seem to improve,” Obama told the Iowa crowd.
“I believe that a community has the right to make its own choice,” he added, “and to provide its own broadband if it wants to.”
