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Major FCC Announcement About Reclassification Tomorrow
FCC boss to outline a 'third way' approach...

Apparently, those sources earlier this week that chatted with the Washington Post about the FCC standing pat on broadband regulation had absolutely no damn idea what they were talking about. The FCC fired a statement to our (and everybody else's) inbox late this afternoon saying that the agency tomorrow will be making a major announcement about reclassifying broadband services to ensure the agency retains authority over broadband services moving forward.

Ever since losing their recent court case to Comcast, the FCC's authority to regulate broadband carriers under Title 1 of the Communications Act has been in question, and all eyes have been on the FCC. The FCC had three options: turn to Congress for new laws extending the FCC's authority (unlikely, given major carrier lobbying influence), reclassify broadband carriers as "common carriers" under Title 2 of the Communications Act (thereby expanding their authority significantly) -- or leave things as is -- while doing their best to pretend they remained relevant by using lots of Powerpoint presentations.

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Any decision the FCC makes likely ends with ISPs protesting and firing up their legal departments, so the agency is truly in somewhat of a lose-lose scenario. Either they stand up to carriers and risk lawsuits, or they buckle and face the scorn of websites like ours who are looking for substantive policy. The agency appears poised to attempt to reach a compromise somewhere between the second and third options above.

"Tomorrow, FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski will announce a path forward for the Commission to address serious legal issues raised by the Comcast v. FCC case," says a senior FCC official. "The Chairman will seek to restore the status quo as it existed prior to the court decision in order to fulfill the previously stated agenda of extending broadband to all Americans, protecting consumers, ensuring fair competition, and preserving a free and open Internet."

"The Chairman will outline a ‘third way’ approach between a weak Title I and a needlessly burdensome Title II approach," says the statement. "It would 1) apply to broadband transmission service only the small handful of Title II provisions that, prior to the Comcast decision, were widely believed to be within the Commission’s purview, and 2) would have broad up-front forbearance and meaningful boundaries to guard against regulatory overreach."

Right now, that's still a bit too ambiguous to get into any deep analysis of this announcement (though that won't stop many), but it is clear that the agency is searching for a medium ground between major carriers and consumer advocates. That middle ground approach fits Genachowski's general style of trying to make everybody happy all the time and riding the ambiguous middle ground. But the value of this depends entirely upon what those "handful" of meaningful provisions actually are -- something we should find out tomorrow.
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hottboiinnc4
ME
join:2003-10-15
Cleveland, OH

1 recommendation

hottboiinnc4

Member

Broadband Halt

After this happening I see the US Broadband build out come to a halt. It was never regulated for a reason. Especially next gen. networks.

FFH5
Premium Member
join:2002-03-03
Tavistock NJ

1 recommendation

FFH5

Premium Member

Re: Broadband Halt

said by hottboiinnc4:

After this happening I see the US Broadband build out come to a halt. It was never regulated for a reason. Especially next gen. networks.
I suspect that if the FCC tries to regulate prices; force line sharing for internet access; or other burdensome rules; then investments by major ISPs will slow to a crawl. And while that is happening, lawsuits will flow like an over-swollen river.

But if the FCC sticks to slapping the hands of any so called net neutrality violations, the ISPs will just continue on as they are now. Because none of the ISPs were doing anything to violate net neutrality anyway.

Karl Bode
News Guy
join:2000-03-02

Karl Bode

News Guy

Re: Broadband Halt

then investments by major ISPs will slow to a crawl.
Except for the fact that investments already slowed to a crawl the second major carriers saw any possibility of obtaining taxpayer funds with no strings attached...(aka USF "reform)....
hottboiinnc4
ME
join:2003-10-15
Cleveland, OH

hottboiinnc4

Member

Re: Broadband Halt

yes but those companies that are slowing to a crawl are pretty much the Telcos. You don't see Comcast asking for a handout and stopping their plans on Doc3 or having loop holes tied into their contracts on upgrading their network.

ATT will stop their network "upgrades" and VZ will stop also and will do so as the rule is signed.

KrK
Heavy Artillery For The Little Guy
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Tulsa, OK
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KrK

Premium Member

Re: Broadband Halt

said by hottboiinnc4:

ATT will stop their network "upgrades" and VZ will stop also and will do so as the rule is signed.
They already have! Verizon stopping FIOS buildouts, AT&T is doing it's old SBC trick. Stop and block and then insist the Government "give you concessions" (IE our money) and then once you have the money in hand, use it to do what you were going to do anyway but decided to see if you could get it for free.

It's going to be an interesting day. And then the real lobbying will begin. It may sound great today but the end result, after the lobbyists have their say, may be that SNAFU + status quo is the final result. I hope not... but realistically....
hottboiinnc4
ME
join:2003-10-15
Cleveland, OH

hottboiinnc4

Member

Re: Broadband Halt

VZ is stopped because they're not making any $$$. Why change to a new product when you're current MSO works for you and doesn't require a contract or auto-bill pay or anything? VZ's customer base is going down, they'll end up losing the battle when it comes to cable and the MSOs know it.

VZ would be smart to get out of the wireline business (the same as Qwest) and just start going wireless with everything. But that won't happen as VZ won't stream TV over that network.

kamm
join:2001-02-14
Brooklyn, NY

kamm

Member

Re: Broadband Halt

said by hottboiinnc4:

VZ is stopped because they're not making any $$$. Why change to a new product when you're current MSO works for you and doesn't require a contract or auto-bill pay or anything? VZ's customer base is going down, they'll end up losing the battle when it comes to cable and the MSOs know it.

VZ would be smart to get out of the wireline business (the same as Qwest) and just start going wireless with everything. But that won't happen as VZ won't stream TV over that network.
What an utter NONSENSE. AS a matter of fact VZ is booting cable MSOs wherever it enters with FIOS - they stopped introducing new markets because they want to extort money and full control from munis.
hottboiinnc4
ME
join:2003-10-15
Cleveland, OH

hottboiinnc4

Member

Re: Broadband Halt

under nonesense. Prove it and that they're booting the MSOs? Check VZ's own docs. 1 out of ever 5 homes they pass sign up. Not very good.

Stop supporting a telco that's dropping customers like a rock and that is pissing off their shareholders with the $$$ they're spending and not getting the ROI they want/deserve.

kamm
join:2001-02-14
Brooklyn, NY

kamm

Member

Re: Broadband Halt

said by hottboiinnc4:

under nonesense. Prove it and that they're booting the MSOs? Check VZ's own docs. 1 out of ever 5 homes they pass sign up. Not very good.

Stop supporting a telco that's dropping customers like a rock and that is pissing off their shareholders with the $$$ they're spending and not getting the ROI they want/deserve.
Thanks God it's complete BOLLOCKS and thanks GOD VZ can see further than retarded idiots like Moffet and the short-term losers he's peddling for.

FFH5
Premium Member
join:2002-03-03
Tavistock NJ

3 edits

FFH5

Premium Member

Here are the links to key FCC supporters of reclassification

Genachowski:
»hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_ ··· 44A1.pdf

Copps:
»hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_ ··· 46A1.pdf

FCC General Counsel Austin Schlick:
»hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_ ··· 45A1.pdf

FCC Commissioner McDowell argues against reclassification:
»hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_ ··· 34A1.pdf
elister
join:2006-07-17
Seattle, WA

elister to hottboiinnc4

Member

to hottboiinnc4
Are you sure? Bandwidth gets cheaper and cheaper every year, which is why cable companies keep offering higher speeds at the same price. This will continue to become cheaper, regulated or not, in fact regulation would have no effect in wholesale bandwidth providers.

If ISPs refuse to upgrade to faster speeds, then customers will simply switch to an ISP that does offer it, hard wired or wireless. Just look at all the people ditching Qwest for Comcast. I did, because they refuse to offer better upload speeds, its that simple.

Karl Bode
News Guy
join:2000-03-02

2 recommendations

Karl Bode

News Guy

Re: Broadband Halt

If ISPs refuse to upgrade to faster speeds, then customers will simply switch to an ISP that does offer it
You assume customers have a choice. 85%+ live in a duopoly market where ISPs work (sans meeting minutes) to keep prices jacked...

XBL2009
------
join:2001-01-03
Chicago, IL

4 edits

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XBL2009

Member

Re: Broadband Halt

said by Karl Bode:

If ISPs refuse to upgrade to faster speeds, then customers will simply switch to an ISP that does offer it
You assume customers have a choice. 85%+ live in a duopoly market where ISPs work (sans meeting minutes) to keep prices jacked...
Exactly... two bad choices is NOT capitalism or competition. We need three, four, five choices in order for the prices to go down.

kamm
join:2001-02-14
Brooklyn, NY

1 recommendation

kamm

Member

Re: Broadband Halt

said by XBL2009:
said by Karl Bode:
If ISPs refuse to upgrade to faster speeds, then customers will simply switch to an ISP that does offer it
You assume customers have a choice. 85%+ live in a duopoly market where ISPs work (sans meeting minutes) to keep prices jacked...
Exactly... two bad choices is NOT capitalism or competition. We need three, four, five choices in order for the prices to go down.
Unfortunately that will never happen here, IMO.

Here's a nugget: my bro just got his new $27/mo TRIPLE PLAY installed in the EU (Budapest, Hungary): »www.speedtest.net/result ··· 6751.png

When I showed it to my buddy over there (same city, other side) he said he pays $40/mo for the same and he measured this while downloading and uploading via ftp: »www.speedtest.net/result ··· 9761.png

And this is a regulated thus very competitive market, with no subsidies by strict EU laws (ISP is part of Deutsche Telekom for more than a decade.)

Belinrahs
I have an ego the size of a small planet
Premium Member
join:2007-09-07
Nashville, MI

1 recommendation

Belinrahs

Premium Member

Re: Broadband Halt

said by kamm:

...And this is a regulated thus very competitive market, with no subsidies by strict EU laws (ISP is part of Deutsche Telekom for more than a decade.)
Proof that a regulated ISP market can and will work. Usually other countries look to the US to model after. It's time that the US looks at other countries, takes it, and makes it work even better. When I can barely get 1 megabit download for $70 a month, it's fair to say the U.S. has a LONG WAY TO GO. Come on, get your backsides in gear..
hottboiinnc4
ME
join:2003-10-15
Cleveland, OH

hottboiinnc4

Member

Re: Broadband Halt

we have this thing called Lobbying. That prevents things like this from happening.

Tron4Net
join:2010-01-14
Corrales, NM

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Tron4Net to Karl Bode

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to Karl Bode
This is true, and I'm one of many Americans who's tired of all the B.S. with ISP's!! The people NEED real action that provides real solutions!!!
hottboiinnc4
ME
join:2003-10-15
Cleveland, OH

hottboiinnc4 to elister

Member

to elister
The option isn't about bandwidth cost. We're talking in terms of actually sharing the network and actually spending money. ATT and VZ has already said they will not build out a network they are faced to resell service on. That is why when you go to U-Verse you are stuck with them unless you have new copper ran to your house. If you're in an area that went from Copper to FTTH (Monroe Mich.) you'll never see another provider in your area on the telco side. You're stuck with ATT/Yahoo or Charter and Comcast.

As far as VZ you're lucky to to see DSLX on their network, as they don't have to be and VZ can kick them to the curb real quick.
patcat88
join:2002-04-05
Jamaica, NY

patcat88 to elister

Member

to elister
The cable companies only offer higher speeds when their marketing department tells them to, which means Uverse or FIOS is somewhere within that "market". Many markets in TWC still have 5/384 as their standard speed, which dates to 2001/creation of RoadRunner after @Home died.
hottboiinnc4
ME
join:2003-10-15
Cleveland, OH

hottboiinnc4

Member

Re: Broadband Halt

TWC had RoadRunner before @home in many makets.

erin1
Premium Member
join:2002-02-22
Buford, GA

erin1

Premium Member

16 years in the making

Finally it took them 16 years but they might actually get it done the right way... hundredths of billions of dollars wasted by those corporations and not much to show for it ( cept lining their execs pockets with taxpayers cash ). Hopefully they get the message now.

FFH5
Premium Member
join:2002-03-03
Tavistock NJ

2 edits

FFH5

Premium Member

Behind the scenes politics on display today

Rep Waxman & Sen Rockefeller must have been tipped off today to Genachowski's plan to PARTIALLY move to reclassifying the internet under Title II of the telecomm act. Because they took the opportunity to send a letter to the FCC BEFORE the announcement, demanding the FCC do EXACTLY what the FCC later announced.

Here is the full text of the letter sent to the FCC: »www.freepress.net/files/ ··· tter.pdf

»news.yahoo.com/s/nm/2010 ··· roadband
Representative Henry Waxman and Senator John Rockefeller said the Federal Communications Commission should also consider short-term options, including a controversial idea to reclassify broadband under a stricter regulatory regime but at the same time apply "a light regulatory touch."
And from Genachowski's statement:
"The Chairman will outline a ‘third way’ approach between a weak Title I and a needlessly burdensome Title II approach,"

Now these 2 pols get to claim to their constituents that they forced the FCC in to looking out for their interests. It is these behind the scenes machinations that continually amuse me about how politics works in our nation's capitol.

Karl Bode
News Guy
join:2000-03-02

1 edit

Karl Bode

News Guy

Re: Behind the scenes politics on display today

Partisans coordinate strategies. News at 11.
nasadude
join:2001-10-05
Rockville, MD

1 recommendation

nasadude

Member

I expect nothing good

I will be surprised if there are any meaningful consumer friendly moves by the FCC.

corporations still control most of the govt and that's not going to change any time soon.

Karl Bode
News Guy
join:2000-03-02

Karl Bode

News Guy

Re: I expect nothing good

Smells of empty PR, but we'll see. I'm not sure you can make all the people happy all the time, but this FCC boss certainly seems interested in trying.
mikesm559
join:2003-11-05
Fresno, CA

mikesm559

Member

Re: I expect nothing good

Wait to cheer until you see the details. I predict nothing will happen in the end. Talk is cheap with this guy, but action (on anything) is scarce.

This guy will work to undercut the position as soon it's made public, and just like the public option, will turn out to be "unimplementable".

Karl Bode
News Guy
join:2000-03-02

1 recommendation

Karl Bode

News Guy

Re: I expect nothing good

Wealthy incumbent ISP influence over policy is so TOTAL at this point I believe nothing short of significant action, completely un-tainted by lobbyist influence, can course correct our broadband trajectory. Unfortunately, I don't think this position is realistic until we address lobbyist influence, however much I'd like to cling to it.
Sammer
join:2005-12-22
Canonsburg, PA

1 recommendation

Sammer

Member

No such thing as a compromise reclassification

The only choice the FCC has in reclassification without congressional action is Title II. Yes the FCC could choose to apply only some of the Title II provisions to Comcast etc. but that might only be temporary. The FCC could choose to apply additional Title II provisions in the future and that's why the carriers will sue. In any case the Title I provisions have clearly failed to either motivate the necessary investment in broadband expansion or to promote competition resulting in what should only be considered a market failure.

KrK
Heavy Artillery For The Little Guy
Premium Member
join:2000-01-17
Tulsa, OK

1 recommendation

KrK

Premium Member

Please please please open access unbundling FOR REAL

Look at Korea and Japan and EMULATE

Please Please Please

kamm
join:2001-02-14
Brooklyn, NY

1 recommendation

kamm

Member

Re: Please please please open access unbundling FOR REAL

Or look at the EU: »Re: Broadband Halt
mikesm559
join:2003-11-05
Fresno, CA

1 recommendation

mikesm559 to KrK

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to KrK
Nope, the Chairman already has said today in a statement that they will do nothing other than a "very light" regulation. No wholesale pricing, no unbundling, no open access, etc...

kamm
join:2001-02-14
Brooklyn, NY

1 recommendation

kamm

Member

Re: Please please please open access unbundling FOR REAL

So just another loudmouthed BS bureaucrat making noise to be seen like if he';s doing something... he clearly isn't.

BillRoland
Premium Member
join:2001-01-21
Ocala, FL

BillRoland

Premium Member

LOL

"...or they buckle and face the scorn of websites like ours who are looking for substantive policy."

Yeah, I'm sure the FCC is really worried about obtaining DSLR's approval.
LowRider
join:2006-06-23
Dallas, GA

LowRider

Member

Could be Good or Bad

i don't think they should be regulated in such a way. this could go south on us. After all the FCC will cave to there demands anyway. the companies all got money and time. i do think they should make ATT Verizon or any other DSL/FIBER and even Satellite come under the same rules as the cable companies. its just a different transmission stream that s it. it should be no different. people will vote with there wallets but i think with a few laws here and there these agreed upon agreements to stay out of each others way should be made void. it keeps cost high. there's no real competition. Satellite and att are not compatition. same with att and a cable carrier not compation in a good way. We don't even have compatition with cable tv. it the same.

kamm
join:2001-02-14
Brooklyn, NY

1 recommendation

kamm

Member

Can't wait to see FCC to work on *MY* behalf...

...after being clowns of telco and other industries for decades.

KrK
Heavy Artillery For The Little Guy
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KrK

Premium Member

Re: Can't wait to see FCC to work on *MY* behalf...

Unfortunately I'd love to see it but I don't think it will happen.

Here's a more likely scenario

FCC makes some moves, some noise

Incumbents are pissed

Call up lobbyists
Lobbyists swarm Capitol Hill
Congress muzzles FCC under guise of "Reform"

Any changes actually increase incumbent entrenchment (such as stimulus dollars funneled to them, further banning of competition/3rd parties, further gutting of consumer protections (If that's possible)) etc etc

Corporate shills tell us how great we have it and how this was the outcome we all really need....

Situation normal resumes. America falls further behind and prices soar...

/sigh

Camaro
Question everything
Premium Member
join:2008-04-05
Westfield, MA

Camaro

Premium Member

Drum roll please

Well day of and i am guessing that a few eyes and ears today are going to pointed the FCC's direction ,mainly us and company lawyers waiting to get around any new pro consumer announcements.