In 1974 with the antitrust lawsuit against AT&T the U.S. Department of Justice started this country on a path of opening competition and innovation in communications technology. However, recent actions have led to the return of the “monopoly” or at least the worse of the “oligopolistic” practices in communications as over the past thirty years the Regional Bell Operating Companies (“RBOC’s”) reemerged back into a single giant telecommunications firm again named “AT&T.”
The policies initiated by this “new empire” reinstated the suppression of new and innovative technologies much like the electric car and fuel and engine technologies’ were suppressed by US Automakers. Policy makers decided that by creating new separate companies they could create a competitive market place and restore America’s greatness in innovation and productivity.
Congress has called for the FCC to prepare a “National Broadband Strategy” and the Obama administration has made the statement that America should rise to lead the world in Broadband technology and the rich rewards in Health, Energy, Education, Commerce, Innovation, and Government that a National Broadband infrastructure will bring to us and the world.
At this stage of maturity in the evolution of American politics and enterprise we have learned how critical Industry and Commerce is to a successful development and operation of a critical need as is Broadband. Not only do we need goals to achieve we must have policies that recognize the necessity of continued innovation. Technology is constantly challenged and can lead to a bright future; it can also lead to a devastating future and to ignore the pace and direction would be catastrophic for the future of all mankind.
Let’s not through out the baby with the bath water. Incumbents have the most to gain or loose in this metamorphosis – the Verizon FIOS project is a great example – Verizon went in to the launch of FIOS kicking and screaming all the way but was forced by legal and market forces to launch in 2005; first in Texas then on to California and other markets (what about RI?) Today, the FIOS product is a shining light in the company’s portfolio. Yet, thought we all share our easements and cash, the FIOS project does not support an “Open Network” with future innovative service providers, the network suppresses high speed services because it can. Today America still lags as 20th world wide in broadband speed and penetration.
A house divided can not stand – the incumbents are our allies and present part of a potential solution one that we must find a way to achieve a stronger nation with ubiquitous access to broadband like no other country in the world. Let us work to establish an uncompromising National Broadband Policy – where we collectively seek to renew the American status of leadership and innovation throughout the world.
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