Netcompetition Press Release on FCC's Obsolete Section 706 Report

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- August 21, 2012

Contact: Scott Cleland 703-217-2407

The FCC's Obsolete Section 706 Report

Obsolete law and technological assumptions yield nonsensical reporting requirements

WASHINGTON D.C. – Concerning the FCC's release of its Section 706 report on "Advanced Telecommunications Incentives," the following quotes may be attributed to Scott Cleland, Chairman of NetCompetition.org:

• "This FCC report became obsolete before the ink dried because it is based on obsolete law and comically obsolete technological assumptions. This report is an anachronism and a waste of taxpayer funds.
• "In 1996, Congress defined a technology future in Section 706 that did not occur. The law wrongly envisioned advanced analog "switched" networks, not the digital Internet packet-switched networks that actually emerged. Getting the technology wrong meant getting the regulation and jurisdiction wrong as well. "Advanced" networks did not come from price regulated "switched" telephone services, but from unregulated information services. And the reporting requirements to state utility commissions became moot because the Internet was determined to be an interstate Federal activity."

NETCompetition.org is a pro-competition e-forum representing broadband interests.  See www.netcompetition.org.

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