We love the Internet. We love how disruptive it is. We love how funny it is. We love how transformative, wild and open it is. As an industry, we’re so proud to be able to bring the Internet to millions of Americans.
To say that the Internet has become fundamental in our daily lives is a massive understatement. And this platform of possibilities is still in its teenage years.
Beginning today and over the coming months, NCTA intends to champion the Internet for what it is – the most important technology since the printing press. Through a new digital property called Onward Internet, we are going to connect with people who are as passionate about the Internet as we are.
Onward Internet is more than just another website; it’s a place to express a shared vision for the future of the Internet. But in order to share a vision we need more than one participant. That is why over the past eight weeks, we’ve been collecting ideas about the Internet’s future from as many real people as we could. And we did it anonymously, without biasing their opinions. If people knew it was NCTA looking for suggestions, we worried it would influence their ideas. We wanted to give people a chance to share their vision for the future without being swayed by the asker, leaving them free to express sincere ideas.
To help engage visitors and provoke their big ideas, we created an incredible video designed to inspire a sense of awe in the Internet. And in September, we hired amazing actors and dressed them as “employees of the Internet” who encouraged passers-by in New York, Washington and San Francisco to submit ideas with a five-foot long pen into a six-foot suggestion box.
After eight weeks and thousands of suggestions from across the country, we couldn’t be more pleased with what we’ve received. As we suspected, we share many of the visions of the people who submitted suggestions. We too want faster speeds, more Wi-Fi, and more unicorns. We too want better security, more access, and an open, innovative future.
Today, we started sharing some of the suggestions we heard over the past two months. The Onward Internet website now features like “More video of reggae concerts” and “Connect more people in third world countries.” You will also find some original content that highlights what the Internet is all about – from the connections that make it light up to the content that keeps us engaged.
The content is in bite-sized form meant to be shared, liked and commented on. And the Internet Suggestion Box will remain open for more ideas about how the Internet should continue to evolve.
We all have a stake in the future of the Internet. By working together, we can make it even greater.
Onward, Internet!