THE FCC'S ROSE-COLORED BROADBAND GLASSES
[SOURCE: Broadbandreports.com, AUTHOR: Karl]
It's that time of year again; time for the FCC to release U.S. broadband data
that's about as reliable as a heroin addict in charge of your retirement funds.
Despite years of criticism from everyone from consumer advocates to the GAO,
the FCC continues to insist that if one home in a zip-code has broadband, that
zip code is wired for service. The FCC also insists that anything over 200kbps
is broadband. Collectively, this methodology makes the state of the broadband
union look rosy. This pleases providers, who, with the FCC's help, have done
everything possible to keep more accurate penetration data private. If the
nation's broadband picture looks good, there's no reason to enact
consumer-friendly, progressive policies. Such policies could improve and extend
the nation's infrastructure, but they'd also harm provider bottom lines by
requiring they more thoroughly serve "unprofitable" rural communities. One
interesting note: FCC data shows that broadband over powerline (BPL), which the
agency once called the "great broadband hope," actually had fewer total
subscribers at the end of December than when the year started. Also, FCC
Chairman seems to be trying to head off possible legislation by making minimal
changes to the way the agency collects and presents its data. Among his
proposed changes are moving to nine-digit zip code analysis, as well as
breaking down broadband service by speed: 1) Anything between 200 kilobits and
768 kilobits per second will be considered first-generation broadband, 2) From
768 kilobits to 1.5 megabits is to be considered basic broadband. 3) In between
1.5 megabits and 3 megabits a second will be classified as high-speed service,
4) Between 3 megabits and 6 megabits called robust service and 5) Anything over
6 megabits a second called premium.
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/The-FCCs-RoseColored-Broadband-Glasses-89007
* America's broadband backlash
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/category/story.cfm?c_id=93&objectid=10473413&ref=rss
* FCCs Martin proposes changes to broadband data collection
http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/fccs-martin-proposes-changes-broadband/story.aspx?guid=%7B170220C4-E7CE-4C34-8F8A-DC560A93DB49%7D
* FCC Inks Another Broadband Report: Too Little Too Late
http://www.telecomweb.com/tnd/25625.html
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