Rewrite Telecom Act, Avoid Title II, IIA Tells Presidential Contenders
The Internet Innovation Alliance drafted a memo for the next president, released Thursday, slamming Communications Act Title II reclassification of broadband and urging a rewrite of the Telecom Act. FCC 2015 net neutrality rules, relying on Title II, “inappropriately and…
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unwisely apply decades-old, monopoly-style regulation to vibrant, competitive broadband and wireless Internet,” said the group, which includes Title II opponent AT&T. “They deter investment, not foster it. They limit innovation, not promote it. Their impact has been small at first, but it will become more evident over time.” The memo urged the next president to favor private sector broadband investment, promote competition and manage spectrum well. “As a finite resource, it is vital that spectrum resources be made available for mobile broadband services,” it said. “We should continue efforts to make spectrum available for mobile broadband by either reallocating spectrum currently used for other purposes or making underutilized government-controlled spectrum available for commercial wireless services. Policymakers should also continue to ensure we find the right mix in making spectrum available for licensed and unlicensed services.” It also endorsed universal service goals and urged protection of both privacy and security of users. “While the 1996 Act has been a great success, it’s time to update the Act to reflect current conditions and the competitive markets that now exist with a new regulatory model that ensures government does not slow down the pace of innovation,” the group said of a telecom rewrite. “Support for a new Act would be a major accomplishment of your Administration and would show the public that bipartisan cooperation in Congress is still possible -- no small achievement in this time of sharp partisan division.”