I recently tested my Internet connection speed at SpeedMatters.org and was surprised to learn how much slower speeds are in the U.S. compared to other countries. We are falling behind our global competitors and I'm counting on you to change.

After all, high speed Internet means more than smooth web videos or fast downloads. These networks are essential to economic growth, and can increase democratic and civic participation, improve the delivery of health care, education, job training, energy conservation, public safety and other vital services.

A comprehensive national broadband plan should be based on these principles:

Universal: All Americans must have access to affordable, high-speed networks, regardless of where they live or what their income.

High Speed: Speed matters on the Internet. A reasonable initial goal would be to construct an infrastructure with enough capacity for 10 mbps downstream and 1 mbps upstream to enable video streaming. New benchmarks in succeeding years should expand the number of households capable of sending and receiving multiple channel high-definition video and reach the global standard of 100 mbps.

Open Internet: We must protect free speech on the Internet so that people are able to go to the website they want and download or upload what they want when they want on the Internet. There should be no degradation of service or censoring any lawful content on the Internet. At the same time, reasonable network management is necessary to preserve an effective and open Internet. More important, building high-capacity networks will ensure that all Americans have fast, open access to all content on the Internet.

Consumer Protections and Good Jobs: Public policies should include consumer and worker protections, should support the growth of good, career jobs, and require the public reporting of deployment, actual speed, price, and service.