Intellectual Property Law

Big week

By Susan Crawford

1.  FCC says a major reason for low adoption of broadband in the US is price.

2.  FCC also reminds us that there’s a looming spectrum crisis.

Let’s assume mobile phones providing high-speed Internet access require additional spectrum.  But they’re also going to need much more deeply-available fiber - mobile communications need to jump quickly to a wire in order to provide true high-speed access.  More infrastructure is needed.

Berkman reminds us that having much more deeply-available, open access fiber will also lower the price of high-speed Internet access connections.  Competition is generally agreed to have a favorable impact on price.  Lower price, greater adoption.

All of this seems to point to a serious focus on the provision of Internet access, and on the pro-competitive conditions under which this access is provided.

Meanwhile:

3.  General-purpose transport providers are joining together to fend off any potential regulatory focus on any of this.

Full post as published by Susan Crawford Blog on February 25, 2010 (boomark / email).