Intellectual Property Law

Nov. 4

By Susan Crawford

We have this election next week - but there’s also a big FCC meeting.  (Plus the FCC v. Fox argument.)

On the agenda at the FCC:  two big wireless mergers, a hugely-complicated set of changes to universal service and intercarrier compensation, and an order in the white spaces proceeding.

All of these things interrelate.  Will the Commission confirm in the context of the mergers that its Internet Policy Statement also applies to wireless high-speed internet access (remember the Skype petition)?  Will universal service become all about high-speed internet access, with its own openness requirements?  Will intercarrier compensation be structured in such a way as to undermine the prospects of those wireless carriers who are trying to merge?  Will unlicensed use of the white spaces be allowed - which may provide ways for rural high-speed internet access to be provided without having to rely on existing carriers?

Lots of political deals to be made, probably lots of drafting going on right now - all in the waning days of this administration.

Full post as published by Susan Crawford Blog on October 28, 2008 (boomark / email).