The recent Cablevision-Fox dispute illustrates the delicate nature of negotiations between video programmers and distributors. In reaction to the dispute, the Federal Communications Commission announced it intends to issue a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on retransmission in early 2011. Because negotiations between programmers and distributors take place in the shadow of FCC regulations, regulatory changes may have large effects on those negotiations. How will reformed retransmission regulations affect programming deliberations and deals? These questions will be explored at “Retrans Redux: The Economics of Retransmission Consent,” hosted by the Technology Policy Institute.
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U.S. Broadband Prices Have Remained Stable
Residential broadband prices in the U.S. remained fairly stable over the past few years, while the price of business plans in the U.S. has decreased, show Scott Wallsten and James Riso in “Residential and Business Broadband Prices, Part 2: International Comparisons,” released today by the Technology Policy Institute. The authors’ analysis also shows that the price for standalone broadband in the U.S. is in the middle range of prices in OECD countries. The paper is the second part of a comprehensive study on broadband pricing.
Data Cap Broadband Plans Cheaper for Most Consumers
Broadband plans with data caps are 15 – 25 percent cheaper than unlimited plans for most consumers, show Scott Wallsten and James Riso in “Residential and Business Broadband Prices, Part 1: An Empirical Analysis of Metering and Other Price Determinants,” released today by the Technology Policy Institute. The authors’ analysis also shows that broadband plans with contracts are cheaper than those without but find the cost of business plans increase with the length of the contract. The paper is part of a comprehensive broadband pricing study performed by Wallsten and Riso exploring residential and business broadband prices in the U.S. and internationally.