9 Out Of 10 Fake Scientists Agree: Neutrality Means Job Losses > Consider the Converse

said by pnh102:

While the article summary does expose the pseudo science used to falsly conclude that Net Neutrality leads to job losses, we should also analyze a similar argument that also is equally false:


Expanded broadband deployments lead to more jobs.


If this is true, then there should have never been any job losses during the 2001-02 and current recessions, as broadband deployments have indeed been expanding since the late 1990s into today. Since this is not the case, we should throw out the claim, and stop making public policy based on false information.

said by MightyPez:

This doesn't make sense to me. Are you saying that since broadband expanded during these times, the net job gains for this one industry would create more jobs than all the other industries lost?

said by MightyPez:

What data are you using to prove that?

said by pnh102:

No. I am simply saying there is no causal relationship between broadband deployment and job growth.

We last examined the economic impact of broadband on the economy and on employment in 2001 and 2003. As it turns out, many of our previous predictions were too pessimistic. We underestimated the growth of broadband -- its reach, the applications that it made possible, and the reductions in price of access in the first decade of the 21st century. The increasing availability, improved speed, and lower price of high-speed Internet services that has resulted from the continuing massive investment in broadband infrastructure has had a predictable effect on household subscriptions. The Pew organization’s household surveys show that the share of households subscribing to broadband Internet services has risen from 47 percent in 2007 to nearly 65 percent at the end of 2009, substantially above our 2003 estimate.

The indirect benefits of broadband are perhaps even more significant: Smart young programmers creating new “apps” for smartphones; academic institutions utilizing ever faster broadband to enhance the educational experience; health care personnel being able to deliver world-class medical services to underserved regions domestically and globally; and, businesses being able to order, manufacture, market and distribute their products from anywhere to anywhere. We could not have anticipated many of these developments in 2003; we surely cannot foresee all of the benefits of continuing improvements in broadband services that will occur in the next few years as network companies continue to upgrade their infrastructure.

said by MightyPez:

Again, I ask, why is broadband deployment, in your opinion, suppose to prop up other industries losing jobs?

said by MightyPez:

You are saying overall jobs are being lost, but that doesn't mean jobs weren't created.

said by pnh102:

If this is true, then there should have never been any job losses during the 2001-02 and current recessions, as broadband deployments have indeed been expanding since the late 1990s into today.