Three Principles to Guide New Telecommunications Legislation
Promoting competition, entry, and experimentation with innovative business models should be the…
Broadband
High-speed data connections, or broadband, are critical to the economy. Our work on broadband covers a wide range of topics, including the digital divide, wireline and wireless provision, spectrum, net neutrality, competition, and more.
The Broadband Stimulus: A Rural Boondoggle and Missed Opportunity
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act included $7 billion for broadband development.…
Broadband Stimulus Funds Distribution Inefficient, Incoherent
The National Telecommunications Information Agency process for awarding funds to projects through the $4.7 billion Broadband Technology Opportunities Program was “largely incoherent,” explain Scott Wallsten and Gregory Rosston in “The Broadband Stimulus: A Rural Boondoggle and Missed Opportunity,” released today by the Technology Policy Institute. The selection process failed to provide a means for measuring the expected cost-effectiveness of proposals, and, as a result, was highly inefficient.
Event Reminder- Patent Reform 2.0: Will Proposed Reforms Address the Patent Troll Problems?
Barely two years after enactment of the first major patent reform legislation in years, serious concerns remain that the patent system, particularly as applied to software, is characterized by wasteful litigation that ultimately is harmful to innovation. Major complaints involve patent assertion entities (PAEs), also known as patent trolls. In response, the Federal Trade Commission has held workshops and issued reports, and the White House has proposed a number of administrative and legislative actions. Congress is poised to act, with a half dozen bills pending.
Updated Event Agenda- Competition, Net Neutrality and Other Issues Facing the New FCC
The incoming Federal Communications Commission Chairman and new Commissioner, along with the existing members, will need to take action on a host of major issues. The Commission will have to make decisions about net neutrality regardless of how the court rules, navigate competing interests in the upcoming spectrum auctions, and determine how to address competition, to name a few.
Event Reminder- Competition, Net Neutrality and Other Issues Facing the New FCC
The incoming Federal Communications Commission Chairman and new Commissioner, along with the existing members, will need to take action on a host of major issues. The Commission will have to make decisions about net neutrality regardless of how the court rules, navigate competing interests in the upcoming spectrum auctions, and determine how to address competition, to name a few.
Articulating A Modern Approach to FCC Competition Policy
The FCC has taken three different competition policy approaches: the classic role of regulating terms and conditions of sale, the modern role of using various tools to create largely deregulated, multi-firm, competitive markets, and the laissez-faire approach of believing that unregulated markets, even if monopolized, will produce the best outcome. For the most part, a light-handed modern role has proven successful. The FCC should adopt such an approach going forward with a classic regulatory role as a backstop, and it should articulate clearly its competition policy framework so that firms can understand the rules and compete to provide service to customers in a procompetitive manner.
Comments filed with the Federal Communications Commission on “Ex Parte filing by LightSquared Subsidiary LLC”
Further delay in LightSquared deployment provides little benefit and high costs. Attachments…
Further Delay in LightSquared Deployment Provides Little Benefit, High Costs
In comments filed with the Federal Communications Commission, Technology Policy Institute President Thomas Lenard recommends the agency approve LightSquared’s modified mobile broadband network deployment proposal.
Broadcast Spectrum is not the only Spectrum Available
Attachments Broadcast Spectrum is not the only Spectrum Available