Commissioners’ Aides Suggest Light Touch on Wireless Broadband
SAN FRANCISCO -- Commissioners’ aides suggested the FCC will take a hands-off approach to wireless broadband much as it has with cable modem and DSL. On a CTIA conference panel here late Tues., advisers to Chmn. Martin and Comrs. Abernathy and Adelstein stressed the Commission’s emphasis on regulatory parity and the success it claims from its historically light touch with wireless. But a non-interventionist thrust doesn’t mean the FCC wouldn’t act on social obligations like security, 911 and access for the disabled, or act in response to market failures, said Fred Campbell of Martin’s staff.
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“We are moving more toward parity with the era of convergence,” Campbell said: “That will be ever more the case.” However, parity shouldn’t mean extending legacy regulation, said Comr. Abernathy’s aide John Branscome. To his boss, “it’s more about deregulating, so everyone is on the same field that way,” he said. Barry Ohlson of Adelstein’s staff may have tried to leave the most wiggle room: “Wireless is different on some levels, and the same on other levels.”
Concerning a formal broadband consumer “bill of rights,” Martin sees “no need to implement any rules per se… because competition is working” to protect customers “and we believe it will continue to work,” Campbell said. But Ohlson said: “We'd like to see some discussion whether to make these bill of rights more of a specific responsibility.” The “evidence now is favorable” on providers’ treatment of consumers, but in an “age of consolidation,” the Commission must consider what to do if that changes, Ohlson said. Replied Campbell: “It’s too early to draw conclusions about what effects, if any, consolidation may have” in the wireless industry, such as making wireless a “stronger player” in broadband competition. Branscome said FCC policy is to filter its principles on broadband consumer protection through proceedings rather than adopt specific rules. But Abernathy’s desire to dismantle economic regulation doesn’t entail dropping Commission efforts on behalf of consumers, Branscome said.
It’s “appropriate for industry to make alliances with other interest groups to address these concerns” over wireless content that offends some, Campbell said. “If everyone’s concerns are addressed, it makes our jobs a little easier.” Branscome lauded CTIA’s leadership on the matter. Ohlson said he hopes by protecting minors the industry will restrain its urge to sell.
“We are on track” to auction 90 MHz of spectrum for advanced wireless services in summer 2006, Campbell said. “We're thrilled that’s moving forward,” said Ohlson. He said there is a “general commitment” at the Commission to act quickly on designated-entity partnerships, and he hopes that this week sees it get out relocation of BRS channels 1 and 2.
On Wi-Fi and WiMAX, Campbell said, the FCC’s making room “for both licensed and unlicensed” wireless broadband seems to be working pretty well. Ohlson said carriers are following through with an array of offerings, including Wi-Fi hotspots and EVDO. “I would be loath to predict how we would regulate unlicensed broadband,” Branscome said.
Campbell wouldn’t offer a questioner a timetable for moving the tower-siting item. He did say the CTIA’s 3 strikes proposal is on the table and “we don’t have 3 votes for that.”