IP: FCC PROPOSES REGULATIONS FOR BROADBAND

[Dave Farber <dave () farber net>]

FCC PROPOSES REGULATIONS FOR BROADBAND
Issue: Broadband

Yesterday, the FCC proposed that highspeed Internet access provided by
telephone companies not be governed by the same regulations for basic
telephone service. If adopted, the rules would not require large telephone
companies to offer access of their highspeed lines to competitors. FCC Chief
Michael Powell and his supporters argue that competition within each type of
broadband service (DSL, cable networks or satellite) is difficult due to the
high cost of building networks. Rather, the FCC claims that sufficient
competition will come from the different types of service available.
Consumer groups and independent Internet access providers, however, are
concerned that this policy shift will reduce competition in the market and
result in decreased customer choice. "If you don't have competition within
each platform, then you will spend all this effort to end up with a duopoly
or an oligopoly," said David Baker, policy director for EarthLink Inc., the
nation's second-largest Internet access provider.

[SOURCE: Washington Post, AUTHOR: Jonathan Krim]
<http://www.washtech.com/news/regulation/15192-1.html>

See Also:
FCC LAUNCHES PROCEEDING TO PROMOTE WIDESPREAD DEPLOYMENT OF HIGH-SPEED
BROADBAND INTERNET ACCESS SERVICES

[SOURCE: FCC]
<http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Common_Carrier/News_Releases/2002/nrcc0202.html>



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