On June 26th, the Center for Technology Innovation and the Metropolitan Policy Program at Brookings www.brookings.edu invited FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler www.fcc.gov to discuss his broadband-related agenda.
Chairman Wheeler said, “Broadband requires more competition and requires companies to invest to satisfy consumer demands for bigger, better, and additional broadband. It is important that broadband providers not limit competition in broadband-dependent markets by invoking their gatekeeper power plus limitations on consumer demand must be removed.”
Broadband networks are new in a new way since hardware based networks are now often software based. Networks are benefiting as they are moving away from having only limited functions to software that will expand network capabilities and be available to use for a wide variety of non-traditional applications.
Another beneficial impact of software replacing hardware is that it causes a decrease in the cost to expand network capabilities. The evolution to software defined networks with virtualized components also means that network operating expenses will decrease.
He explained, “Networks cannot be micromanaged which means that there can be no retail rate regulation, no network unbundling, and no tariffs. In short, no “utility style regulation” at a time when consumers are demanding better broadband.”
According to the Chairman, “The FCC’s most tangible role in growing broadband is to allocate both the licensed and unlicensed spectrum necessary for competitive wireless broadband. Making spectrum available for unlicensed use draws less public attention but it is an indispensable element in the provision of broadband today.
The role that spectrum plays can determine who will be the international leader for 5G broadband networks. The Chairman agrees with Chairman Walden who helped create the incentive auction law that should be held in the first quarter of 2016.
Another way to stimulate broadband is to increase opportunities for additional competition in upstream markets. Therefore, a rule has been proposed to give over-the-top video providers the ability to choose the same business model as cable and satellite providers and have the same program access rights.
As the Chairman mentioned, the FCC has made efforts to harness broadband to enable those who use American Sign Language to communicate directly with the FCC using online video. The FCC is now building a web-based open API platform that will allow any company or agency to plug in and use broadband to help hearing impaired Americans communicate.