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.
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.
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
Broadcast Spectrum is not the only Spectrum Available
The U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee is holding an oversight hearing this week to examine the Federal Communications Commission’s progress in planning its upcoming spectrum incentive auction. The Commission expects the auction to contribute 120 MHz of broadcast spectrum to the goal of an additional 300 MHz for mobile broadband by 2015 established by the FCC’s National Broadband Plan. While the incentive auction is important and deserves the attention it is receiving from the commission and Congress, attention should also be paid to another category of spectrum: the Mobile Satellite Service (MSS) spectrum. This is the most immediately available spectrum – indeed, the only significant block of spectrum that is already licensed but not deployed. Since considerable doubt exists concerning whether the incentive auction will yield anything close to the projected 120 MHz, the commission might get more “bang for the buck” by focusing greater attention on removing the remaining impediments to the deployment of the MSS spectrum.
Where do vendors to cable think the industry is heading? Evidence from 2013 Cable Show data
For the past four years (2010 – 2013) I have been collecting…
Is Obamaphone Good for the Poor? Maybe Not.
The Obamaphone controversy-whether government should subsidize wireless phone service for the poor-has two great ironies. The first is that wireless subsidies, which are part of the Lifeline and Linkup programs, were actually begun under Republicans President Bush and FCC Chairman Kevin Martin. This irony has been well documented and thoroughly enjoyed by many liberals.
Is Obamaphone Good for the Poor? Maybe Not.
Attachments Is Obamaphone Good for the Poor? Maybe Not.
Focus on Broadband Speed Distracts from Other Metrics
Exclusive focus by policymakers and advocates on increasing broadband speeds removes from consideration other metrics that may be as or more important to innovation, explains Scott Wallsten in “The Real Benefits of Gigabit Networks Have Nothing to do with Speed,” released today by the Technology Policy Institute. The focus on broadband speed, “also obscures the real benefits of new high-speed networks like Google Fiber, which include new competition and revealed information about how local rules and regulations can hamper entry into the broadband market.”
The Real Benefits of Gigabit Networks Have Nothing to do with Speed
Our Internet speed fetish comes with costs and benefits. The costs are…