Technology Policy Institute president and senior fellow Thomas Lenard filed comments today with the Federal Communications Commission on its proposal to auction the 2155-2175 MHz band (AWS-3) subject to rules that would require the winner to offer a basic tier of free wireless broadband service that virtually the entire U.S. population could access. The service conditions are similar to those contained in a 2006 application by M2Z to obtain this spectrum for free.
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.
Lenard Files Comments With FCC on AWS-3 Spectrum Auction
Technology Policy Institute president and senior fellow Thomas Lenard filed comments today with the Federal Communications Commission on its proposal to auction the 2155-2175 MHz band (AWS-3) subject to rules that would require the winner to offer a basic tier of free wireless broadband service that virtually the entire U.S. population could access. The service conditions are similar to those contained in a 2006 application by M2Z to obtain this spectrum for free.
June 9th Event: Transatlantic Perspectives on Broadband Policy
Transatlantic Perspectives on Broadband Policy, Inter- versus Intra-Platform Competition, A Centre for European Policy Studies-Technology Policy Institute Event, Monday, June 9, 2008, 8:30-11:00 AM, National Press Club, Washington, D.C.
Understanding International Broadband Comparisons
The OECD Broadband Rankings are a flawed and misleading basis for policy making, according to Technology Policy Institute vice president for research and senior fellow Scott Wallsten.
The Pros and Cons of Network Management: Summary of the 2/29 Event Released
The Technology Policy Institute released a summary of the event on “Network Management: The Latest Battle over Net Neutrality” that took place on February 29, 2008.
The Pros and Cons of Network Management: Summary of the 2/29 Event Released
The Technology Policy Institute released a summary of the event on “Network Management: The Latest Battle over Net Neutrality” that took place on February 29, 2008. The panelists discussed the controversy surrounding Comcast’s network management practices and evaluated the economic, legal, and engineering aspects of network management based on evidence from the United States and Japan. They also discussed the potential impacts of possible proposed regulations.
Reverse Auctions and Universal Telecommunications Service: Lessons from Global Experience
The United States now spends around $7 billion on universal service programs?subsidies intended to ensure that the entire country has access to telecommunications services. Most of this money supports telecommunications service in ?high cost? (primarily rural) areas, and the High Cost fund is growing quickly. In response to this growth, policymakers are considering using reverse auctions, or bids for the minimum subsidy, as a way to reduce expenditures. While the U.S. has not yet distributed funds for universal service programs using reverse auctions, the method has been used widely.
Unbundling Regulations do Not Necessarily Promote Broadband Investment according to Wallsten analysis
Washington, DC – While the United States has moved away from unbundling regulations in recent years, the European Union has increasingly adopted them in order to stimulate broadband investment. A new paper by Scott Wallsten assembles a unique panel dataset to test the effects of different types of unbundling regulations on broadband penetration and speeds across OECD countries. Wallsten finds that unbundling regulations do not promote broadband investment and may even reduce it. He also finds, however, that rules that make it easier for an entrant to interconnect are positively correlated with broadband penetration and speed.
Whence Competition in Network Industries? Broadband and Unbundling Regulations in OECD Countries
Wallsten, Scott. “Whence Competition in Network Industries? Broadband and Unbundling Regulations in OECD Countries” December 2007
Managing the Network? Rethink Prices, not Net Neutrality
Wallsten, Scott. “Managing the Network? Rethink Prices, not Net Neutrality.” October 2007.