Telcos, Cable Stress Broadband Gains; Others Cite Shortcomings, Seek ATC Speed Increase
The pace of broadband progress and how it's measured sparked further divisions on the FCC Telecom Act Section 706 inquiry into whether advanced telecom capability (ATC) is being deployed in a reasonable and timely way. Many comments were posted Tuesday…
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in docket 18-238, including over fixed and mobile service distinctions (see 1809170044). Telco and cable incumbents generally said broadband-like ATC is being rolled out adequately, and 5G wireless will bring new advances. Rivals and others cited shortcomings and urged the agency to increase its ATC speed benchmark. The FCC's last 706 report made a positive ATC determination, kept a 25/3 Mbps fixed benchmark and concluded mobile isn't a full substitute for fixed (see 1802050002). Broadband investment and deployment are robust, in part due to light-touch regulation, commented USTelecom. AT&T and Verizon also hailed ATC buildout. AT&T said "mobile broadband is a functional substitute for fixed broadband," and Verizon said providers "stand at the precipice of game-changing 5G network deployments." CTIA called mobile broadband deployment reasonable and timely. NCTA and the American Cable Association urged a positive ATC determination, and they, ITTA, the Wireless ISP Association, Adtran and others backed maintaining the 25/3 Mbps fixed standard. Despite the progress, incumbents said the regulator could do more to spur broadband, but Common Cause and Public Knowledge said recent FCC actions "widened the digital divide." The Communications Workers of America said the pace of broadband deployment isn't reasonable and timely, with more than 24 million Americans lacking access and more lacking high-speed wired connections. Incompas said it's "time to be bold" and raise the benchmark to 1 Gbps, while CWA and others backed 100 Mbps. CWA, Incompas, WISPA, ITTA, rural groups and others said mobile isn't an adequate substitute for fixed. NTCA said only existing, not possible future, services should determine the ATC finding. The Fiber Broadband Association urged a focus on "all-fiber connectivity" and a "holistic approach" factoring in service reliability and latency. ViaSat and SES Americom plugged satellite broadband. New America's Open Technology Institute, Microsoft and others said Form 477 broadband data is flawed and sought fixes and use of other sources. Free Press urged inclusion of data from Puerto Rico and other storm-struck areas and said the FCC should "abandon" proposals to "gut" Lifeline USF. The National Digital Inclusion Alliance cited broadband adoption and affordability as critical and voiced concern about "evidence of AT&T's digital redlining."