Connected Nation, a national non-profit organization that improves digital inclusion, and the Entertainment Consumers Association (ECA), a non-profit membership organization established to serve the needs of those who play computer and video games, have formed a national partnership.

“Connected Nation aims at promoting greater adoption of broadband services to improve the overall standard of living in our communities and the quality of life of citizens across America,” said Brian R. Mefford, CEO of Connected Nation. “We’re eager to partner with a preeminent organization such as ECA to work together to add the voices of hundreds of thousands of citizens to the call for programs and policies that will accelerate the impact of broadband in the United States.”

As national partner, ECA will join Connected Nation’s Advisory Committee, which helps to promote the mission of Connected Nation.

The ECA is an advocacy organization for consumers of interactive entertainment. Gamers, the ECA said, represent nearly 50 percent of the U.S. population and spend $10 billion annually on gaming. The mission of the ECA is to give game consumers a voice and to ensure that elected officials hear their concerns and appreciate the growing influence of the gamer demographic.

“We are thrilled to collaborate with Connected Nation to promote consumer rights and make the Internet accessible to all,” said Jennifer Mercurio, director of government affairs at (ECA. “Our Gamers for Universal Broadband initiative was created in direct response to member outcry over limited broadband access across the country. Now is the time for consumers to get involved to ensure that we have a powerful voice in shaping the future of the Internet.”

According to research by Connected Nation, the U.S. economy stands to benefit $134 billion annually by increasing the use of broadband and the technologies that are enabled when Americans have the ability and desire to connect.

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