Clear Signals
Michael Copps has worn many hats in his distinguished career, from college his-tory professor to trade association executive, to Capitol Hill Chief of Staff and FCC Commissioner. Now serving his seventh year at the Commission, Copps has a major influence on regulatory policy that affects the wireless industry, and he recently shared his views on telecom from his top floor office at the FCC.
Wave: How would you assess the state of competition in the wireless industry?
Copps: I believe there is fierce competition between the carriers right now, but we have also been through a period of tremendous consolidation in the wireless industry. So I come down on the side of more competition and talking up the benefits of competition, which I think greatly enhance consumers’ experiences.
Wave: It’s well known that you have avid interest in mobile broadband. What role should the FCC play in providing that service for Americans?
Copps: I think the Commission has to take an expansive role in using the legislation it has to get advanced telecommunications out to all of our people. I would feel much better about it if we had an all-inclusive national broadband strategy in this country.
That's why we are lodged way down the list of the nations of the world when it comes to broadband. Whether we’re 12th or 15th, or 21st or 24th. There are a lot of different measurements, but I believe the reports generally agree that we are way down there and that we are heading in the wrong direction.
We had this digital opportunity index from the International Telecommunications Union last year, which included not just broadband but wireless, computers, and price quite a bit of data and we were 21st, right behind Estonia and tied with Slovenia. I don't think that's the place where the United States of America, your country and mine, should find itself on any list.
Wave: At the same time, the most recent FCC data indicates there were more new high-speed wireless lines added in this country than DSL and cable modem combined. So, it appears U.S. consumers are finding wireless to be a viable option.
Copps: I think that's good and I'm encouraged by that, but I’m still troubled that we don't have a coordinated strategy to get this technology all around the country.
"We ought to be coming up with recommendations now that get people in the same tent and thinking together and discussing and compromising rather than getting everybody at everybody else's throat."
Michael Copps
FCC Commissioner
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Michael J. Copps" Podcast