January 15, 2010 1:08 AM
Before the Net Neutrality Deluge . . . Broadband Still Counts
I couldn't come up with a catchy title, but, before we get totally fixated on Net Neutrality for a big news cycle, I really wanted to draw attention to a very thoughtful, very comprehensive, broadband policy post, entitled "A Sensible Broadband Policy" written by the CEO of a competitive fiber provider--Dave Rusin, CEO of American Fiber Systems ("AFS"). Dave writes the blog TelecomStraightShooter that is linked to on the right hand side of my home page. Obviously, if you read this post--and you should--you'll see that I'm mentioning it because parts of it sound a lot like some of the things I've said.
While the post is titled "a sensible broadband policy", that's a little misleading, because the description "broadband policy" is a lot broader than it sounds. If you want to face the facts--as Dave does--"broadband policy" means the FCC's telecom agenda; and that is not an understatement.
I don't agree with all of Dave's policy prescriptions, and some would probably need the law to change in order to be implemented, even if they are good ideas. On the other hand, other ideas probably seem like good regulations for "other guys." But, hey, show me a market participant in an FCC policy proceeding that hasn't advocated regulating someone else's rates to lower their own costs, or stimulate demand for their own product, and I'll show you my untouched Yeti/Loch Ness Monster/UFO photo collection. Self-interest is not a sin, among FCC commenters, which is why I sincerely believe Dave Rusin's ideas should get as much "air time" as any inside-the-beltway "policy wonk", or "academic expert" (is that an oxymoron?). Why?
Well, for starters, AFS is based in Rochester, NY--that's where the whole competitive telecom experiment started. Another factor in Dave's favor is that he's obviously seen both sides of the various telecom skirmishes over the years, but, as a wholesale transmission guy, he doesn't have a dog in a lot of the fights, but he does understand the issues really well. Finally, he's got to live under his own rules, sleep in his own bed, eat what he cooks . . . the metaphors just don't stop.
But, before I canonize Dave, keep in mind that--as I said before--like an executive with any other carrier, they sometimes equate (conflate?) their self-interest with the public interest. On the other hand, the self-interest of a wholesale carrier on the subject of broadband is interesting, because of their overriding incentive to stimulate output and fill the pipes. That said, the reader must also keep in mind that these insights are not from a telecom regulatory attorney, so they are a little "raw" (e.g., the FCC had four, not five, original net neutrality principles), and some of the USF reform ideas need a little work, but, this is being too picky.
It isn't often that a carrier without attorneys and/or lobbyists on staff (or on retainer) even bothers to offer thoughtful, comprehensive policy ideas, and we don't listen enough to these parties. This post, "raw" as it is, is also--from a policy perspective--broader, and more thoughtful, than most that I've seen from telecom executives on the operating side. To be clear, I don't endorse all parts of it, but I don't think it should be ignored either.
While the post is titled "a sensible broadband policy", that's a little misleading, because the description "broadband policy" is a lot broader than it sounds. If you want to face the facts--as Dave does--"broadband policy" means the FCC's telecom agenda; and that is not an understatement.
I don't agree with all of Dave's policy prescriptions, and some would probably need the law to change in order to be implemented, even if they are good ideas. On the other hand, other ideas probably seem like good regulations for "other guys." But, hey, show me a market participant in an FCC policy proceeding that hasn't advocated regulating someone else's rates to lower their own costs, or stimulate demand for their own product, and I'll show you my untouched Yeti/Loch Ness Monster/UFO photo collection. Self-interest is not a sin, among FCC commenters, which is why I sincerely believe Dave Rusin's ideas should get as much "air time" as any inside-the-beltway "policy wonk", or "academic expert" (is that an oxymoron?). Why?
Well, for starters, AFS is based in Rochester, NY--that's where the whole competitive telecom experiment started. Another factor in Dave's favor is that he's obviously seen both sides of the various telecom skirmishes over the years, but, as a wholesale transmission guy, he doesn't have a dog in a lot of the fights, but he does understand the issues really well. Finally, he's got to live under his own rules, sleep in his own bed, eat what he cooks . . . the metaphors just don't stop.
But, before I canonize Dave, keep in mind that--as I said before--like an executive with any other carrier, they sometimes equate (conflate?) their self-interest with the public interest. On the other hand, the self-interest of a wholesale carrier on the subject of broadband is interesting, because of their overriding incentive to stimulate output and fill the pipes. That said, the reader must also keep in mind that these insights are not from a telecom regulatory attorney, so they are a little "raw" (e.g., the FCC had four, not five, original net neutrality principles), and some of the USF reform ideas need a little work, but, this is being too picky.
It isn't often that a carrier without attorneys and/or lobbyists on staff (or on retainer) even bothers to offer thoughtful, comprehensive policy ideas, and we don't listen enough to these parties. This post, "raw" as it is, is also--from a policy perspective--broader, and more thoughtful, than most that I've seen from telecom executives on the operating side. To be clear, I don't endorse all parts of it, but I don't think it should be ignored either.
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