first published week of: 09/08/2014
FCC head calls truly high-speed Net access a modern-day essential but says most Americans "have no competitive choice," a position that could perturb Comcast and AT&T.
Federal Communications Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler says broadband competition is seriously lacking in the US, and he outlined on Thursday a set of policies designed to fix the problem.
During a speech at a Washington, DC-based startup incubator, Wheeler said, "meaningful competition for high-speed wired broadband is lacking and Americans need more-competitive choices for faster and better Internet connections," adding later that "three-quarters of American homes have no competitive choice for the essential infrastructure for 21st century economics and democracy."
Wheeler outlined how the FCC plans to protect competition where it already exists, as well as encourage competition where it doesn't. Specifically, he said the FCC will block mergers that reduce competition; implement regulation that supports a free and open Internet; encourage access for all providers to wireless spectrum in upcoming FCC auctions; preempt state laws that prohibit cities from offering their own broadband services to citizens; and redirect universal service funds to ensure that rural Americans get the same access to high-speed broadband as urban Americans do. continued…