'Net Regulation' Crowd Caught Crying Wolf…Again
June 27, 2007
FTC Report Shows Vibrant, Healthy Broadband Marketplace at Work in America
WASHINGTON, DC – CTIA - The Wireless Association® President and CEO Steve Largent issued the following statement today in response to the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) Broadband Connectivity Competition Policy report which depicted America’s broadband marketplace as vibrantly competitive, innovative and in no need of government regulation:
“The Internet regulation scheme has forever been built on a hypothetical, “what-if” scenario and today this flimsy theory has met yet another round of cold, hard, real-world facts that render it unworthy of our nation’s attention and resources.
“I think the overwhelming majority of Americans, regardless of political party affiliation, would agree that as a nation we have some serious challenges ahead of us. Yet by virtually every responsible measure, regulating the Internet is not one of them – it’s not even close.
“Debates about issues are important and necessary but even more important is that we base them on facts and empirical knowledge, not hypothetical conspiracy theories. The comprehensive FTC report released today is yet another collection of facts that clearly depicts the Internet Regulation plot as a solution in search of a problem.
“The report, which was nearly a year in the making and approved by a unanimous vote of the FTC, also makes clear that a number of federal agencies already have the jurisdiction and authority to correct any broadband market failure if one were ever to emerge.
“The facts about this debate have never been more clear. When it comes to the competitive and innovative broadband marketplace the consumer sits in the driver’s seat; empowered to choose the services they want and need from an increasing number of providers. I hope the FTC report will help all of us move-on to other issues that truly require our nation’s attention.”
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representing carriers, manufacturers and wireless Internet providers.
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