In today’s Daily Caller, I discuss the need for Congressional, rather than FCC, action on broadband reclassification in order to provide optimal benefits for consumers.
Here is an excerpt:
Broadband Internet access is critical to improving virtually every aspect of a consumer’s life. From improving economic status, access to health care, education, personal finance, purchasing, connections to family and friends, and civic and community involvement, broadband is the great enabling technology of our generation. Broadband has the power to enhance quality of life for all Americans, so it is vitally important that consumer interests are examined and fully represented in any discussions by the government concerning the regulation of broadband services. The litmus test for all regulatory measures should be, “Does it benefit consumers?” So will the Federal Communications Commission’s proposed regulations of broadband services ultimately benefit consumers? That’s a question well worth pondering.
In March, the FCC released its long-anticipated National Broadband Plan to Congress, with plans to ensure that “by the year 2020, at least 100 million U.S. homes should have affordable access to actual download speeds of at least 100 megabits per second and actual upload speeds of at least 50 megabits per second.” Many people however, have access but choose to remain disconnected, some citing fears about privacy, safety and security as primary barriers to going online. In fact, the FCC’s broadband plan states that the number one way in which government can influence the broadband ecosystem is to “design policies to ensure robust competition and, as a result maximize consumer welfare, innovation and investment.”
Read more: http://dailycaller.com/2010/08/31/congress-not-the-fcc-should-regulate-broadband-service/#ixzz0yD29dANU
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