Recently in the Telecommunications Category

The headline reads, "Study Proves Telecom Regulation Changes Could Spur Small Business Job Creation and Broadband Investment." The study, endorsed by Public Knowledge and done by Economics and Technology, Inc. says a more heavily regulated telecom environment will result in new job growth.

That's not what an SBA Office Of Advocacy Study found. "In the face of higher costs of federal regulations, the research shows that small businesses continue to bear a disproportionate share of the federal regulatory burden.  On a per-employee basis, it costs 45 percent more for small firms to comply than their larger counterparts, the study found.

It is counterintuitive to a small business owner to say more regulation will help them add jobs. 

January 13th,  WIPP filed comments with the FCC asking them to adopt a framework that will allow for the continued deployment of broadband, while maintaining incentives for private sector investment. Broadband technology has become a vital tool for economic success. It creates jobs and makes businesses, particularly small businesses, more competitive and efficient. We must ensure that incentives remain in place for the private sector to continue its support in partnership with the public sector to deliver ubiquitous broadband across the country and that small businesses are able to depend upon a stable and dependable network for their growing companies.  

Please follow updates on WIPP's telecommunication's policy page and urge the FCC to consider small business in their deliberations.

I recently read The Hill article entitled "Building a Broadband Future" by Broadband for American Co-Chairmen Michael Powell and Harold Ford, and found the article to provide several strong points.

Despite America's further progression into the Information Age (broadband technology and communications) - it seems there are many inequities in our connectedness. These inequities hamper America's place in the future of broadband.

For example, the large majority of American citizens still have paper records of their medical history and rural communities with special medical conditions lack access to needed healthcare resources.

Michael Powell and Harold Ford state that they believe Broadband for America (BfA) has a single focus: "spurring broadband deployment, improving adoption and enhancing skills and training is critical if America hopes to remain a strong, prosperous country of equal opportunity", Building a Broadband Future, The Hill. It is with this goal in mind that they have chosen to serve as honorary co-chairs of BfA.

The societal advantages of strong broadband connection to evidence their argument are overwhelming (Source: Building a Broadband Future, The Hill):

- 70% of students use the internet for their homework

- 6 in 10 Americans now go online for information for their healthcare

- Broadband can reduce hospitalization by 20% through home monitoring, bringing better healthcare at a lower cost

 - A broadband-enabled smart electricity grid could generate as much as $40 billion of economic value each year and cut carbon dioxide emissions by 480 million metric tons, saving money, energy and our environment.

- Broadband makes government work better - with easy broadband internet access, working people can more readily claim the $14 billion in unclaimed Earned Income Tax Credits on the table every year.

America is now looking to model after programs already developed in the U.S. and abroad. In order for America to secure a place in the impending broadband future, it is essential that broadband internet be accessible in all American homes to continue to promote this interconnectivity.

On October 14th, WIPP filed comments with the FCC in a letter to Chairman Genachowski on the issue of net neutrality. We feel that net neutrality regulations would ultimately hinder investment, access and the adoption of broadband, jeopardizing the businesses of our members, result in increased prices and decreased flexibility.  Small businesses depend on access to the latest technology and innovation at an affordable price. In our view, innovation in technology, and competition between providers should drive changes in this sector, rather than government proposed regulations. 

The Commission must explore the impact its actions will have on women and minority businesses. Broadband is a vital tool for economic success, creating more jobs and making businesses more efficient and competitive.  More directly, some of the businesses we represent are part of the broadband and information technology industries, which in 2008 created more than half of all new jobs in America. A recent economic impact study commissioned by the Center for Women's Business Research cited that women business owners employ 23 million people in America, 16% of the US workforce. Therefore, not only should the Commission review impacts on specific groups, but it should look at the overall economic impact.

 As the Commission moves forward through the October 22nd open meeting and on to the completion of the National Broadband Plan, WIPP would like to see data documenting the extent to which women and minority businesses are affected by whatever regulations are produced.

AT&T just released its 2008 Citizen and Sustainability Report - 'Connecting for a Sustainable Future', indicating increased social and environmental investments despite the economic downturn. It is an important report which highlights how this corporation is helping to strengthen education and workforce readiness, build communities and increase its own sustainable operations. The report sets a high bar for all of us, for we are all one community, and the strength of each buoys the strength of all of us.    

If we are going to be part of the economic recovery, we all need to participate, and we need to participate together.  This means large and small corporations, government and associations must work together to find true economic solutions. If our education system fails, our businesses will suffer; if lending options fail, investment in business growth will fail and our economy will continue to falter; if vehicles such as full broadband deployment are stymied, then advancements in telemedicine and other innovation will be put aside and healthcare reform will lose a valuable component. 

This is a challenging time, but with challenge comes opportunity and leaders emerge. Congratulations AT&T on implementing a vision for growth that addresses national challenges, WIPP is proud to partner with you.