At the State of the Net conference on Wednesday, the
Internet Innovation Alliance is releasing a "guide to all things
broadband" -- a booklet meant to give legislators guidance on informed
decision-making about Internet policy as IIA sees it.
Among that guidance is that the transition to IP delivery is
the future of communications, a future that will require reforming regulations
meant for a copper wire, analog world. "Requiring incumbent telephone
providers to maintain costly antiquated networks siphons investment away from
deployment of advanced, high-speed next-generation IP-based networks that
consumers prefer," the guide says.
AT&T, one of the alliance's members, has been pushing
the FCC to deregulate traditional circuit-switched service as it transitions to
IP rather than hold it to what it says are outmoded copper wire-based regs.
AT&T also ranks number one in a chart of "Top
Technology Companies Betting on America" thanks to its $20.1 billion in capital
expenditures. Comcast is No. 8 at $5.3 billion.
The guide recommends going easy on regulations meant
"for a bygone analog monopoly provider era," getting more spectrum
into the hands of broadband companies through broadcast incentive auctions, and
by approving secondary spectrum deals between private companies.
