CEO DATELINE - Telecommunication associations blast FCC for suggesting Internet isn't expanding fast enough
CEO DATELINE - Telecommunication associations blast FCC for suggesting Internet isn't expanding fast enough
- January 11, 2016 |
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Walt Williams
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A new report by the Federal Communications Commission claims telecommunications companies are dragging their feet when it comes to providing broadband Internet access to underserved populations—a conclusion industry trade groups say has more to do with politics than facts.
According to the Washington Post, the FCC report concluded telecom companies have done a "decent job" building out high-speed Internet, which the agency defines as download speeds of 25 Mbps and upload speeds of 3 Mbps.
However, some 10 percent of the American population lacks access to broadband Internet. That means telecom companies have not expanded broadband access in a "reasonable and timely" manner, and as a result FCC is required to take action by law. http://wapo.st/1RGhaO8
The National Cable and Telecommunications Association disputed FCC's findings. In a statement, the association said the report's conclusions "continue an alarming trend of ignoring objectivity and facts in order to serve political ends and maximize agency power."
"The reality is that progress in deploying broadband in America has been reasonable and timely," the association said. "Private industry has invested over $1.4 trillion to build robust networks that reach most Americans and, as the commission found just ten days ago, continue to significantly increase in speed and performance every year." http://bit.ly/1P3mZQW
In its response, CTIA pointed to comments FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler made last year suggesting U.S. consumers have benefited by competition among Internet service providers.
"The facts speak for themselves: fierce competition in the U.S. wireless industry spurs billions in annual network investments, world-leading devices and applications and unparalleled quality and service—all of which provide benefits to consumers, businesses and the economy," CTIA Vice President of Regulatory Affairs Scott Bergmann said. http://bit.ly/1N31X3t
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