Most Active Articles 2010-03-21T19:14:28.078-04:00 Business Exchange Business_Exchange@businessweek.com urn:com:businessweek:bx:topic:most-active:u-s-broadband-policy Peter Elstrom pelstrom077 urn:com:businessweek:bx:article:13996710197794179243-a0e09a6eed6be78daf71c92f6fe50b13 2010-03-19T02:09:20.268-04:00

By Aruna Viswanatha - In developing its blueprint, the FCC relied heavily on input from the Justice Department. In its recommendations to the commission in January, the Justice Department said the best way to promote competition in the market was to encourage the development of wireless broadband. The FCC’s suggestions today follow similar lines.

By Aruna Viswanatha - In developing its blueprint, the FCC relied heavily on input from the Justice Department. In its recommendations to the commission in January, the Justice Department said the best way to promote competition in the market was to encourage the development of wireless broadband. The FCC’s suggestions today follow similar lines. http://www.mainjustice.com/2010/03/16/broadband-plan-follows-doj-suggestions/ George Mattathil gmattathil715 8 7 0 1 urn:com:businessweek:bx:article:2822867446668165354-f1130f8e0eb089d43593dfd1f4698506 2010-03-19T01:46:32.146-04:00

By Kim Hart - the Plan opens the door to classifying broadband services as old-fashioned monopoly era, circuit-switched, voice telephone services under Title II of the Communications Act of 1934. Broadband deployment and adoption have flourished in the absence of such regulations. Not only do I (FCC Commissioner Robert McDowell) doubt that such a reclassification would survive appeal, I don’t see how foisting a regulatory framework first devised in the 19th Century would help a competitive 21st Century marketplace continue to thrive.

By Kim Hart - the Plan opens the door to classifying broadband services as old-fashioned monopoly era, circuit-switched, voice telephone services under Title II of the Communications Act of 1934. Broadband deployment and adoption have flourished in the absence of such regulations. Not only do I (FCC Commissioner Robert McDowell) doubt that such a reclassification would survive appeal, I don’t see how foisting a regulatory framework first devised in the 19th Century would help a competitive 21st Century marketplace continue to thrive. http://thehill.com/blogs/hillicon-valley/interviews-profiles/87043-fccs-mcdowell-challenges-broadband-plan-recommendations George Mattathil gmattathil715 4 3 0 1 urn:com:businessweek:bx:article:14383512288996114011-ac423ab97b5021c309d22e198efe20ce 2010-03-19T02:04:56.285-04:00

By Nancy Scola - "Will they come when you do call for them?" is another way of saying that all the good policy proposals in the world don't mean all that much if there's not a good strategy behind bringing them into being. Is this long-awaited document going to call AT&T, Verizon, and wireless-ISPs-of-the-future into action, and actually provide a strategy for bringing more and better broadband choices to Americans?

By Nancy Scola - "Will they come when you do call for them?" is another way of saying that all the good policy proposals in the world don't mean all that much if there's not a good strategy behind bringing them into being. Is this long-awaited document going to call AT&T, Verizon, and wireless-ISPs-of-the-future into action, and actually provide a strategy for bringing more and better broadband choices to Americans? http://www.prospect.org/csnc/blogs/tapped_archive?month=03&year=2010&base_name=i_read_the_national_broadband George Mattathil gmattathil715 5 4 0 1 urn:com:businessweek:bx:article:3718084066754757303-46e5b39be6b1eacabf016ad82555a6da 2010-03-19T01:57:30.635-04:00

By Nancy Scola - One of the senior FCC folks at the briefing actually framed the plan's approach to broadband competition as a continuation of U.S. telecom practice, a practice that has largely been "the market shall provide." You might have noticed it hasn't thus far. That was kinda why we needed a new plan. The absence of creative thinking in this new plan is particularly worrisome because the small crew within the FCC that produced it had the chance to stir passions about what our broadband future might look like. The National Broadband Plan isn't a set of regulations. It's not a piece of legislation. It was meant to be an aspirational plan, but it's not that aspirational. Blair Levin, the seemingly autonomous point-person appointed by Chairman Genachowski, talks about the FCC like Alaskans talk about the United States.

By Nancy Scola - One of the senior FCC folks at the briefing actually framed the plan's approach to broadband competition as a continuation of U.S. telecom practice, a practice that has largely been "the market shall provide." You might have noticed it hasn't thus far. That was kinda why we needed a new plan. The absence of creative thinking in this new plan is particularly worrisome because the small crew within the FCC that produced it had the chance to stir passions about what our broadband future might look like. The National Broadband Plan isn't a set of regulations. It's not a piece of legislation. It was meant to be an aspirational plan, but it's not that aspirational. Blair Levin, the seemingly autonomous point-person appointed by Chairman Genachowski, talks about the FCC like Alaskans talk about the United States. http://www.prospect.org/csnc/blogs/tapped_archive?month=03&year=2010&base_name=more_of_a_national_broadband_t George Mattathil gmattathil715 4 3 0 1 urn:com:businessweek:bx:article:1500681170128577984-a5b5a423397a151191a7af899d157dca 2010-03-19T09:43:10.272-04:00

The National Broadband Plan submitted by the FCC hits the mark with a relevant and pertinent road map into 21st Century communications.

The National Broadband Plan submitted by the FCC hits the mark with a relevant and pertinent road map into 21st Century communications. http://www.thecablepipeline.com/2010/03/19/national-broadband-plan-affordablespeedyaccessiblecompetitivesocially-sound/ Leonard Grace lgrace564 2 2 0 0 urn:com:businessweek:bx:article:16089679161036452818-f75842458b0f6e16c888b4510390dd17 2010-03-19T01:51:16.033-04:00

By Cecilia Kang - The agency chose to avoid answering what it will do as a federal court appears that it will undermine the FCC’s authority over those services, thereby putting into question some of the biggest proposals in its plan to bring broadband connections to every home in America. Only on the penultimate page of the 338-page plan did the FCC address, in the most noncommittal way, that there are debates out there.

By Cecilia Kang - The agency chose to avoid answering what it will do as a federal court appears that it will undermine the FCC’s authority over those services, thereby putting into question some of the biggest proposals in its plan to bring broadband connections to every home in America. Only on the penultimate page of the 338-page plan did the FCC address, in the most noncommittal way, that there are debates out there. http://voices.washingtonpost.com/posttech/2010/03/fcc_dodges_answers_on_reclassi.html George Mattathil gmattathil715 3 2 0 1 urn:com:businessweek:bx:article:5202897969018331853-aca4fed326264a2af5e07fff87d37ec0 2010-03-18T12:04:17.528-04:00

By Chloe Albanesius - The recently released national broadband plan has grand ideas for hooking people up to high-speed Internet. But the plan also crafts a solution to a problem officials have been trying to solve since 2001 – interoperable communications. On the other hand, the plan also floats the idea of a "national broadband fee," paid for by taxpayers. The plan, which the Federal Communications Commission presented to Congress this week, calls on the government to use the power of broadband to improve public safety. Specifically, that includes the creation of a nationwide interoperable public safety wireless broadband communication networks by 2020.

By Chloe Albanesius - The recently released national broadband plan has grand ideas for hooking people up to high-speed Internet. But the plan also crafts a solution to a problem officials have been trying to solve since 2001 – interoperable communications. On the other hand, the plan also floats the idea of a "national broadband fee," paid for by taxpayers. The plan, which the Federal Communications Commission presented to Congress this week, calls on the government to use the power of broadband to improve public safety. Specifically, that includes the creation of a nationwide interoperable public safety wireless broadband communication networks by 2020. http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2361516,00.asp George Mattathil gmattathil715 5 4 0 1 urn:com:businessweek:bx:article:13171634705343727170-55d2599ecf76abc6c02086857e010d99 2010-03-18T12:19:00.101-04:00

By John Eggerton - "The National Broadband Plan positions our country to lead in this vital area, and I am pleased that the Commission has produced such as visionary, far-reaching plan with specific strategies and goals to help our country compete and win in the fiercely competitive global economy," said Markey in a statement. "This is a roadmap to an America with the most robust, accessible broadband infrastructure in the world and the jobs that come with it, and we should settle for nothing less," said Sen. John Kerry, (D-Mass.) chairman of the Senate Communications Subcommittee.

By John Eggerton - "The National Broadband Plan positions our country to lead in this vital area, and I am pleased that the Commission has produced such as visionary, far-reaching plan with specific strategies and goals to help our country compete and win in the fiercely competitive global economy," said Markey in a statement. "This is a roadmap to an America with the most robust, accessible broadband infrastructure in the world and the jobs that come with it, and we should settle for nothing less," said Sen. John Kerry, (D-Mass.) chairman of the Senate Communications Subcommittee. http://www.multichannel.com/article/450289-FCC_Broadband_Plan_Reactions_Pour_In.php George Mattathil gmattathil715 4 3 0 1 urn:com:businessweek:bx:article:17743076990325919844-20d2d8b5bbf28ad9c52df3dabc8f2967 2010-03-18T12:13:54.371-04:00

By Bill Snyder - The lack of competition in broadband, both wired and wireless, is at the root of a myriad of evils, including poor service, overcharges, opaque billing, and a complete lack of service in parts of the country. But for all its good intentions, the plan postpones hard choices on how to fix a broken system, and this gives the carriers and others the opening they need to delay, dilute, and damage the plan's important goals.

By Bill Snyder - The lack of competition in broadband, both wired and wireless, is at the root of a myriad of evils, including poor service, overcharges, opaque billing, and a complete lack of service in parts of the country. But for all its good intentions, the plan postpones hard choices on how to fix a broken system, and this gives the carriers and others the opening they need to delay, dilute, and damage the plan's important goals. http://www.pcworld.com/article/191843/will_the_national_broadband_plan_go_the_way_of_healthcare_reform.html George Mattathil gmattathil715 4 3 0 1 urn:com:businessweek:bx:article:10557172111463142015-5dbd9b67418ef9b941169cd8c9908979 2010-03-18T12:28:47.612-04:00

By Cecilia Kang - Many of the FCC's proposals are short on details, and lawmakers and the agency can accept or reject any number of the ideas. "The real test begins now, and the final grade will depend on the commission's execution of future proceedings that will be required to transform the national broadband plan into reality," said Andrew Schwartzman, president of Media Access Project, a public interest group.

By Cecilia Kang - Many of the FCC's proposals are short on details, and lawmakers and the agency can accept or reject any number of the ideas. "The real test begins now, and the final grade will depend on the commission's execution of future proceedings that will be required to transform the national broadband plan into reality," said Andrew Schwartzman, president of Media Access Project, a public interest group. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/15/AR2010031503785.html George Mattathil gmattathil715 3 2 0 1 urn:com:businessweek:bx:article:6183474974482198926-9c38763dba97739600c4966e5d5a4ddb 2010-03-18T12:21:15.973-04:00

By Matt Viser - Markey’s legislation, called the Electricity Consumers’ Right to Know Act (or e-KNOW), would allow consumers to track their use of electricity for free and in real time by being connected to data from utility companies using mobile devices. That technology would only be useful, though, if broadband access becomes more widespread. It could mean allowing consumers to turn off an air conditioner from work, or turn the heat on during the commute home.

By Matt Viser - Markey’s legislation, called the Electricity Consumers’ Right to Know Act (or e-KNOW), would allow consumers to track their use of electricity for free and in real time by being connected to data from utility companies using mobile devices. That technology would only be useful, though, if broadband access becomes more widespread. It could mean allowing consumers to turn off an air conditioner from work, or turn the heat on during the commute home. http://www.boston.com/news/politics/politicalintelligence/2010/03/markey_wants_to.html George Mattathil gmattathil715 3 2 0 1 urn:com:businessweek:bx:article:15374892137225360442-af8b0c5fb8bad86dbd5869352e95c5f7 2010-03-18T01:07:52.679-04:00

By Karl Bode - The FCC's new national broadband plan is more of a "plan of a plan," and implementation in the face of lobbyist pressure will be key. As plan architect Blair Levin stated this morning at the plan's introduction, the "plan is in beta, and always will be." The FCC has simply set the table for a significant number of policy discussions and rule making procedures, that may (or may not) end in substantive improvements in the sector.

By Karl Bode - The FCC's new national broadband plan is more of a "plan of a plan," and implementation in the face of lobbyist pressure will be key. As plan architect Blair Levin stated this morning at the plan's introduction, the "plan is in beta, and always will be." The FCC has simply set the table for a significant number of policy discussions and rule making procedures, that may (or may not) end in substantive improvements in the sector. http://www.broadbandreports.com/shownews/What-You-Need-To-Know-About-The-National-Broadband-Plan-107389 George Mattathil gmattathil715 6 5 0 1 urn:com:businessweek:bx:article:5577999500977691031-6cfb1ec95756b25a9cb1d7a5a99f08e8 2010-03-18T01:04:06.056-04:00

By Tom Tauke - "The plan correctly notes that government is a major purchaser of services and can be a catalyst for using broadband to reform the health care delivery system, improve energy conservation, preserve the environment, and promote the use of broadband technology to advance education."

By Tom Tauke - "The plan correctly notes that government is a major purchaser of services and can be a catalyst for using broadband to reform the health care delivery system, improve energy conservation, preserve the environment, and promote the use of broadband technology to advance education." http://newscenter.verizon.com/press-releases/verizon/2010/verizon-statement-on-fccs.html George Mattathil gmattathil715 4 3 0 1 urn:com:businessweek:bx:article:10254242136952610834-3aadedfa35cff9077e7a982721ebad15 2010-03-17T12:08:57.327-04:00

By John Eggerton - The Senate Commerce Committee has confirmed that it will hold its hearing on the FCC's national broadband plan on Tuesday, March 23. The House Energy & Commerce Committee will hold its hearing on the plan March 25.

By John Eggerton - The Senate Commerce Committee has confirmed that it will hold its hearing on the FCC's national broadband plan on Tuesday, March 23. The House Energy & Commerce Committee will hold its hearing on the plan March 25. http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/450341-Senate_Commerce_Committee_to_Hold_Broadband_Plan_Hearing_March_23.php?rssid=20065 George Mattathil gmattathil715 5 4 0 1 urn:com:businessweek:bx:article:9454294351155351278-d7e758c39bd62f2c9fbc98f6944ef537 2010-03-18T01:00:14.915-04:00

Sprint - The National Broadband Plan addresses a variety of issues critical to expansion of affordable broadband communications including special access reform, intercarrier compensation reform and universal service reform. There also are important recommendations to improve the FCC's spectrum management processes and procedures - critical steps to assuring that wireless providers have enough spectrum to meet the nation's demand for mobile broadband services both now and in the future. Significantly, the plan recommends that Congress appropriate funds to help build and operate a national wireless public safety communications service with broadband and interoperability capabilities - an action Sprint has long advocated.

Sprint - The National Broadband Plan addresses a variety of issues critical to expansion of affordable broadband communications including special access reform, intercarrier compensation reform and universal service reform. There also are important recommendations to improve the FCC's spectrum management processes and procedures - critical steps to assuring that wireless providers have enough spectrum to meet the nation's demand for mobile broadband services both now and in the future. Significantly, the plan recommends that Congress appropriate funds to help build and operate a national wireless public safety communications service with broadband and interoperability capabilities - an action Sprint has long advocated. http://newsreleases.sprint.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=127149&p=RssLanding&cat=news&id=1402871 George Mattathil gmattathil715 3 2 0 1 urn:com:businessweek:bx:article:7035488529539593058-f9cac714b68724950adc8144435f330b 2010-03-16T12:38:26.682-04:00

FCC - The National Broadband Plan lays out a bold roadmap to America's future. These initiatives will stimulate economic growth, spur job creation, and boost our capabilities in education, healthcare, homeland security and more. Explore the Plan below and learn more about how affordable, high-speed broadband access will help America lead in the 21st century.

FCC - The National Broadband Plan lays out a bold roadmap to America's future. These initiatives will stimulate economic growth, spur job creation, and boost our capabilities in education, healthcare, homeland security and more. Explore the Plan below and learn more about how affordable, high-speed broadband access will help America lead in the 21st century. http://www.broadband.gov/plan/ George Mattathil gmattathil715 12 11 0 1 urn:com:businessweek:bx:article:17030363384729206850-e60530ecc07a624b3fd86d317d2e48d5 2010-03-18T16:41:21.533-04:00

Plans by Google and others to provide ultrafast broadband may push Verizon, AT&T, and Comcast to accelerate their own deployments.

Plans by Google and others to provide ultrafast broadband may push Verizon, AT&T, and Comcast to accelerate their own deployments. http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/mar2010/tc20100317_550729.htm Terence Rose trose855 1 1 0 0 urn:com:businessweek:bx:article:3250535796606056566-be62ffd9493f866430967e55ce0c70a0 2010-03-17T03:07:56.512-04:00

By Todd Shields - The U.S. plan to expand high-speed Internet service might come at a cost to broadcasters, and that may signal a fight when lawmakers are asked to help turn television airwaves over to wireless competitors.

By Todd Shields - The U.S. plan to expand high-speed Internet service might come at a cost to broadcasters, and that may signal a fight when lawmakers are asked to help turn television airwaves over to wireless competitors. http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-03-16/fcc-broadband-plan-raises-broadcasters-alarm-wireless-cheer.html George Mattathil gmattathil715 1 0 0 1 urn:com:businessweek:bx:article:6005496755868438978-37d7d44b207a43013522fa55e17ccec5 2010-03-15T16:17:47.574-04:00

I believe everyone can agree that Broadband Competition and Pricing are high on their lists of (all things broadband). Yes, consumers and businesses alike want a high quality broadband experience with dynamically fast upload and download speeds, and...

I believe everyone can agree that Broadband Competition and Pricing are high on their lists of (all things broadband). Yes, consumers and businesses alike want a high quality broadband experience with dynamically fast upload and download speeds, and... http://www.thecablepipeline.com/2010/03/15/broadband-competition-pricing-lessons-providers-learn/ Leonard Grace lgrace564 2 1 0 1 urn:com:businessweek:bx:article:16737175768643341095-8584ffd85fadfda8fc887a5ea8910b64 2010-03-12T00:52:57.362-05:00

By Larry Downes - Given the stark contrast between life under Title I and Title II, it's no surprise that there's been little call for relocating ISPs. Until now, in fact, the FCC has led the charge to keep information services out of the hornet's nest of Title II regulation--regulation that has largely destroyed legacy phone service.

By Larry Downes - Given the stark contrast between life under Title I and Title II, it's no surprise that there's been little call for relocating ISPs. Until now, in fact, the FCC has led the charge to keep information services out of the hornet's nest of Title II regulation--regulation that has largely destroyed legacy phone service. http://news.cnet.com/8301-1035_3-20000267-94.html George Mattathil gmattathil715 5 4 0 1 urn:com:businessweek:bx:article:390074601603556311-d316fc1c056e030f60bc26ec95d660c4 2010-03-10T11:01:09.375-05:00

March 9 (Bloomberg) -- U.S. regulators said they may consider assigning airwaves to free or low-cost wireless Internet connections to boost use of online services.

March 9 (Bloomberg) -- U.S. regulators said they may consider assigning airwaves to free or low-cost wireless Internet connections to boost use of online services. http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-03-09/u-s-may-assign-airwaves-for-free-wireless-internet-fcc-says.html George Mattathil gmattathil715 6 5 0 1 urn:com:businessweek:bx:article:17637468612018292947-6b563fc12b667ce17e06b2f6b6418213 2010-03-10T10:58:31.139-05:00

By Chloe Albanesius - "The national broadband plan provides a vision for federal, state, and local leadership and partnerships with the private and non-profit communities that will bridge the digital divide and transform America into a nation where broadband expands opportunities for all." "The broadband plan is not self-executing." The plan makes recommendations – half of which are directed at the FCC and the other half of which are entrusted to the executive branch and Congress, but "everything we recommend requires another proceeding."

By Chloe Albanesius - "The national broadband plan provides a vision for federal, state, and local leadership and partnerships with the private and non-profit communities that will bridge the digital divide and transform America into a nation where broadband expands opportunities for all." "The broadband plan is not self-executing." The plan makes recommendations – half of which are directed at the FCC and the other half of which are entrusted to the executive branch and Congress, but "everything we recommend requires another proceeding." http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2361132,00.asp George Mattathil gmattathil715 5 4 0 1 urn:com:businessweek:bx:article:5127728230192823199-6f11747a06985608f8927c3640fd8b0c 2010-03-08T00:28:42.793-05:00

US Senate - The investment, totaling $80,596,415, is a multi-partner project of the Louisiana Broadband Alliance, being headed by the Louisiana Board of Regents and Louisiana Public Broadcasting and encompasses more than 3,400 square miles of service. The project will target 21 parishes in rural Louisiana including those in the Louisiana Delta Region and the four federally-recognized Native American Indian Tribes. The funds will allow for the expansion of broadband internet access to approximately 100,000 households and more than 15,000 businesses in some of the most underserved areas of Louisiana.

US Senate - The investment, totaling $80,596,415, is a multi-partner project of the Louisiana Broadband Alliance, being headed by the Louisiana Board of Regents and Louisiana Public Broadcasting and encompasses more than 3,400 square miles of service. The project will target 21 parishes in rural Louisiana including those in the Louisiana Delta Region and the four federally-recognized Native American Indian Tribes. The funds will allow for the expansion of broadband internet access to approximately 100,000 households and more than 15,000 businesses in some of the most underserved areas of Louisiana. http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/landrieu-locke-announce-80-million-broadband-investment-in-louisiana-86674592.html George Mattathil gmattathil715 13 12 0 1 urn:com:businessweek:bx:article:10512063436624092906-ba204501a3025a6c68139bd6e5530697 2010-03-08T11:47:46.602-05:00

By Elena Strange - Providing broadband access isn't only about Facebook and Google. Farmers need to communicate with customers and suppliers. They need up-to-date weather reports and commodities information, too. Electricity and telephone access aren't sufficient anymore.

By Elena Strange - Providing broadband access isn't only about Facebook and Google. Farmers need to communicate with customers and suppliers. They need up-to-date weather reports and commodities information, too. Electricity and telephone access aren't sufficient anymore. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/opinionshop/detail?&entry_id=58564 George Mattathil gmattathil715 8 7 0 1 urn:com:businessweek:bx:article:6904955399577064581-145d9c060a21e3ef1d7ec27e65dc360e 2010-03-08T11:54:02.381-05:00

By Stacey Higginbotham - We have been relatively unimpressed with the aspects of the plan that have been pre-announced. It tends to favor the existing broadband duopoly while offering little in the way of innovative ideas for expanding access. Here is a rundown of its main components and a few beneficiaries:

By Stacey Higginbotham - We have been relatively unimpressed with the aspects of the plan that have been pre-announced. It tends to favor the existing broadband duopoly while offering little in the way of innovative ideas for expanding access. Here is a rundown of its main components and a few beneficiaries: http://gigaom.com/2010/03/07/national-broadband-plan-will-be-a-day-early-but-fall-short/ George Mattathil gmattathil715 8 7 0 1