The Broadband Providers Doth Protest Too Much, Methinks

[babylonsister]

http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/199320/the_broadband_providers_doth_protest_too_much_methinks.html?tk=hp_new

The Broadband Providers Doth Protest Too Much, Methinks

By Tony Bradley, PC World

The broadband industry and some politicians have reacted strongly to an FCC effort to have an open dialogue. In response to a Thursday vote by the FCC to open a Notice of Inquiry (NOI) period to consider the options for reclassifying how broadband service is governed, some broadband providers have responded with undue hyperbole that leads one to question their motives.

The FCC has been tasked by Congress to develop and implement a National Broadband Plan, but the industry is challenging its authority to do so. A statement from Verizon following the FCC vote says "Reclassifying high-speed broadband Internet service as a telecom service is a terrible idea. The negative consequences for online users and the Internet ecosystem would be severe and have ramifications for decades. It is difficult to understand why the FCC continues to consider this option."

snip//

If reclassifying broadband service under the FCC "third way" proposal will impede investment and innovation, bring the proof to the table. If it will cost jobs and impact the economy, back that up with some facts. Industry players should stop trying to prevent or circumvent the dialog with public hyperbole and instead participate in the process.

The Internet has evolved to become an essential element of the nation's critical infrastructure. It is crucial to commerce, public safety, and national defense. That doesn't mean the government needs to take it over, but the government does need to have some oversight of the Internet backbone just as it does with power, transportation, and other services the country relies on.

The bottom line is this: The FCC has a mission to fulfill and the court decision earlier this year in Comcast v. FCC challenges whether the FCC has the legal authority to effectively carry that mission out as it relates to broadband Internet. The FCC action on Thursday simply initiated a public discussion to review the pros and cons of various alternatives, and determine the best course of action.

Businesses and commerce rely on the Internet. The FCC Notice of Inquiry offers an opportunity for all to participate in an open dialog and democratic process to determine what is best for the country as a whole. If you sit idly on the sidelines, you get what you get. Take advantage of the chance to make your voice heard and let the FCC know how reclassifying broadband oversight, or not, might impact your business.

[Raineyb]

1. What investment and innovation?

They don't do any of that now. And why would they? They have a monopoly over their lines and the customer doesn't have many choices if they want to go elsewhere as their competitor offers nearly the same service at the same price.

In France, you can get lots of channels, long distance phone service and for less than we pay here because their carriers are forced to share the lines (at a nominal feel of course) and people can choose whomever they see fit. It results in a higher quality product for less money because they have to compete for the customer's business.

These people are ridiculous. They'd be the first to tell workers that they are not entitled to a job but they think they are entitled to maximize profits by keeping out competition.

[babylonsister]

2. That's kind of the point of the article; prove it, providers,

prove all your contentions, back them up with facts. So far, no dice.

[Scuba]

3. You can bet your stars that the real agenda is to quash free speech.