David Isenberg is joined by an illustrious roster of signatories in filing this comment pursuant to the Commission’s Notice of Inquiry (NOI) in reference to Docket No. 09-51. This is every citizen’s chance to chime in on the government’s omnibus efforts to shape communications policy and, by most credible accounts, Commissioners and their advisors are trying to start with a clean slate. In so doing, as David points out in the paragraph below, it is easy to lose sight of the overall objective of the effort. As it is written:

There’s risk in confusing broadband and Internet. If the National Broadband Plan starts from the premise that the U.S. needs the innovation, increased productivity, new ideas and freedoms of expression that the Internet affords, then the Plan will be shaped around the Internet. If, instead, the Plan is premised on a need for broadband, it fails to address the ARRA’s mandated objectives directly. More importantly, the premise that broadband is the primary goal entertains the remaking of the Internet in ways that could put its benefits at risk. The primary goal of the Plan should be broadband connections to the Internet.

An NOI is just the beginning of the rulemaking process. It is followed by lots of hearings, the drafting and issuing of a “Notice of Proposed Rulemaking” (NPRM), which is also an occasion for gathering more comments. Only after all that is settled (which could be years later) is an FCC “Report and Order” issued. Opus Research will be providing periodic updates on this very important topic.

We want the best possible broadband connections to The Internet and all the collective intelligence, innovation and services that it provides.

Categories: Articles

Tags: FCC policymaking, National Broadband Policy, Internet