We Need a New Framework
3:14 PM April 16, 2010
I've written frequently on the issue of "equal access" efforts and its impact on small business owners. To be clear, up front, "equal access", as defined by the FCC efforts, is a term that I believe is misused here. Certainly everyone believes explicitly that all citizens should have equal access to the internet and have a reliable, fast, dependable network. However, the way that "equal access" is deployed, in effect, very well may possibly have negative consequences for the very people that that this country needs the most right now - the small business job creators. Small businesses are not asking for a free ride here, they are not asking for preferential treatment - they are asking for the ability to access a network that can satisfy their business needs - a network that is managed appropriately and that will allow them to serve their business customers.
Technology and Telecommunications products and services are radically different today - clearly distinctly different than they were 5 years ago, and certainly 10 years ago. And they will be different tomorrow, and radically different 3 years and 5 years from now. We can't even begin to imagine what the impact these changes will have for this country, all citizens, and for the businesses that provide economic stability, growth and innovation. I have great concern about the way we regulate, classify, oversee and prioritize this extraordinary industry which has evolved so dramatically and will continue to do so? How can we use 10 year old processes and policies in a new technology environment? We need to first develop a new framework that is able to respond to a new world and one that will be responsive and allow for innovation, growth and equity.
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