Ajit Pai's FCC Can't Admit Broadband Competition is a Problem While the FCC is fortunately backing away from a plan that would have weakened the standard definition of broadband, the agency under Ajit Pai still can't seem to acknowledge the lack of competition in the broadband sector. Or the impact this limited competition has in encouraging higher prices, net neutrality violations, privacy violations, or what's widely agreed to be some of the worst customer service of any industry in America.

The Trump FCC had been widely criticized for a plan to weaken the standard definition of broadband from 25 Mbps down, 3 Mbps up, to include any wireless connection capable of 10 Mbps down, 1 Mbps up. Consumer advocates argued the move was a ham-fisted attempt to try and tilt the data to downplay the industry's obvious competitive and coverage shortcomings. They also argued that the plan made no coherent sense, given that wireless broadband is frequently capped, often not available (with carrier maps the FCC relies on falsely over-stating coverage), and significantly more expensive than traditional fixed-line service. In a statement (pdf), FCC boss Ajit Pai stated the agency would fortunately be backing away from the measure, while acknowledging that frequently capped and expensive wireless isn't a comparable replacement for fixed-line broadband. "The draft report maintains the same benchmark speed for fixed broadband service previously adopted by the Commission: 25 Mbps download/3 Mbps upload," stated Pai. "The draft report also concludes that mobile broadband service is not a full substitute for fixed service. Instead, it notes there are differences between the two technologies, including clear variations in consumer preferences and demands." That's the good news. The bad news: the FCC under Pai's leadership continues to downplay and ignore the lack of competition in the sector, and the high prices and various bad behaviors most people are painfully familiar with. Pai's statement was part of the FCC's annual report on the state of broadband competition and availability. Section 706 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 requires the FCC to continually assess whether broadband is being deployed on a "reasonable and timely basis," and if not -- to do something about it. While the FCC this week released a fact sheet on the draft Broadband Progress Report, it hasn't released its actual findings. But Pai's statement makes it clear that he doesn't think limited competition is a problem. And if it, he apparently believes that policies like killing popular net neutrality rules are magically going to fix it. "The draft report also discussed how, over the course of the past year, the current Commission has taken steps to reduce barriers to infrastructure investment and promote competition in the broadband marketplace," said Pai. "Taken together, these policies indicate that the current FCC is now meeting its statutory mandate to encourage the deployment of broadband on a reasonable and timely basis." Pai's efforts to "reduce barriers to infrastructure investment" have included killing FCC plans to make the cable box market more competitive, helping derail privacy protections for broadband consumers, weakening price controls that helped keep business broadband monopolies in check, helping prison phone monopolies rip off inmate families, killing net neutrality, and making it harder for the poor to get access to decent broadband by slowly and surely dismantling the Lifeline program (created under Reagan and expanded under Bush Jr.). Like several of his revolving door regulatory predecessors (most notably former FCC boss turned top cable lobbyist Mike Powell), Pai has an almost-comedic habit of completely ignoring the blatant lack of competition in the sector. This effort runs so deep, you'll simply never see him acknowledge that this lack of competition results in high prices, something that's patently obvious to most American consumers (especially if they've surveyed the cost of TV, phone and broadband in, say, Paris). So while it's great that Pai won't be weakening the standard definition of broadband to cover competition gaps (for now), he's still under the impression that letting giant, uncompetitive telecom duopolies run amok will somehow cure everything that ails one of the least competitive markets in American industry. So while it's great that Pai won't be weakening the standard definition of broadband to cover competition gaps (for now), he's still under the impression that letting giant, uncompetitive telecom duopolies run amok will somehow cure everything that ails one of the least competitive markets in American industry.







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Most recommended from 34 comments



EGeezer

Premium Member

join:2002-08-04

Midwest ·Callcentric

4 recommendations EGeezer Premium Member Pai's grasp of internet infrastructure is mind-boggling



I am reminded of another politicians' similar lack of competence;



Unbelievable (or not, given the morons running the show today), it takes the guy weeks to recognize that there's a difference between mobile and fixed service.I am reminded of another politicians' similar lack of competence; »www.youtube.com/watch?v= ··· PcP0aFNE

Anon50537

@teksavvy.com 2 recommendations Anon50537 Anon How much of the Defense Fund could be used to build out Fiber, instead guns A drop of the yearly Defense fund could likely wire all of the US. But they are all rabid capitalists that want gov to stay out of the business market cause it's not fair to businesses. Never mind they screw over the customers all the time though.



Just another Wizard of Oz - pay no attention to the man behind the curtain.

GlennLouEarl

3 brothers, 1 gone

Premium Member

join:2002-11-17

Richmond, VA 2 recommendations GlennLouEarl Premium Member He said it...

broadband needs to be fixed!