Creating more competition in the broadband market will have create jobs
and stimulate the economy, five public-interest groups told the FCC late
Mon. in comments on Internet policy recommended by a study done for the
Federal Communications Commission by the Berkman Center for Internet and
Society. A copy of the comments is available
here.
In a filing with the Commission supporting a study on broadband
unbundling, the groups said: “Broadband competition leads to
economic growth, more jobs, and lower prices for consumers. As the
Berkman Study makes clear, unbundling increases broadband penetration,
bringing more broadband to more people and businesses. As a result,
countries with policies that encourage structural separation experience a
growth in Gross Domestic Product (“GDP”). This growth comes
from the increased productivity and opportunity that broadband provides.
The Commission should recognize the benefits that structural separation
has brought to the countries examined in the Study, and move to create
similar beneficial policies here in the United States.”
Unbundling is one regulatory means of opening the telecommunications
networks of incumbent telephone, wireless and cable companies to
competitors to offer their own services. In addition, the groups, Public
Knowledge, CCTV Center for Media and Democracy, Media Access Project,
Media Alliance, and U.S. PIRG, suggested said the Commission
“should recommend readopting open access policies such as
unbundling and structural or functional separation for broadband services
as part of the National Broadband Plan. Open access policies would
increase competition in the market for broadband services and greatly
improve the levels of penetration in this country.”
The U.S. formerly followed open policies, but repealed many of them.
Several studies, including one submitted with the comments, show that,
contrary to the arguments made by incumbent carriers, unbundling does not
hamper investment. Instead, it contributes to economic growth, the groups
said.
Members of the media may contact Communications Director Shiva Stella with inquiries, interview requests, or to join the Public Knowledge press list at shiva@publicknowledge.org or 405-249-9435.