“The Federal Communications Commission has produced a balanced, comprehensive and forward-looking plan that should serve the country well. The U.S. has long needed such a plan to keep pace with other countries, and this plan, if implemented, will accomplish that objective.
“We are particularly encouraged to see so much attention devoted to competition policies, which we believe will help to create new opportunities for innovators and new choices for consumers in what is now a tightly held duopoly. Specifically, we commend the Commission for undertaking a review of wholesale competition rules. An examination of special access rates should also be included under the plan, to provide relief for business customers and consumers from costs that could not be justified in a true competitive market.
“The spectrum policies proposed by the Commission, including greater use of unlicensed spectrum, also will help to drive innovation and consumer choice. We were also pleased to see the Commission recommend a change in set-top box rules, a change we have thought for a long time was necessary.
“The Commission has outlined a far-reaching plan to convert our telecommunications system, and our economy, from the analog world to the digital world. No one should underestimate the amount of effort it will take to make that transition a reality. We commend the Commission for starting down that path in a way that will benefit all Americans.”
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.