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.
Press Releases
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.
Press Releases
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.”
Press Releases
MSS Spectrum is “Most Available” Spectrum for Broadband Plan Goals
The mobile satellite service (MSS) spectrum is the spectrum most immediately available for meeting the Federal Communications Commission’s National Broadband Plan goals, explain Thomas Lenard and Lawrence White in “The Spectrum Crunch, MSS Spectrum and LightSquared,” released today by the Technology Policy Institute. To help reach its goal, the agency should grant LightSquared’s request to modify its spectrum license and allow the company to move forward with its 4G-LTE network.