“Competitive carriers also shouldn’t be forced into a Hobson’s choice of having to accept the scarlet letter of the outdated ‘common carrier’ classification of the old telephone monopolies of the 1930s,” writes Jeffrey Mazzella, president of the Center for Individual Freedom. “Those anachronisms only open up a wide range of other regulatory burdens and obligations on companies, instead of enabling them to focus on the imperative to get more people connected.”
In a webcast speech, FCC Commissioner Michael O’Rielly said that rules meant to promote diversity in the broadcast industry have been a “complete failure.”
He maintained that removing “our limitations” would lead to more minority investment and ownership.
He cited FCC Chairman Ajit Pai’s effort to adopt a radio incubator program that would entice existing broadcast owners to partner with minority small business entrepreneurs. But he admitted that the initiative “was upended by a few squabbling industry participants” when the effort was expanded into television ownership.
“Absent Supreme Court intervention, it will be years before any action is even considered again at the Commission,” he said. “This represents a huge disappointment for the agency and a lost opportunity for society.”
https://www.multichannel.com/blog/orielly-urges-more-cable-broadcast-process-reform
In a commentary, the Taxpayers Protection Alliance writes that “low take rates and failing systems show why federal, state and local leaders shouldn’t look to government internet projects to close the digital divide. Instead, government can facilitate the expansion of rural broadband by relaxing regulations that might stymie broadband growth by private providers that have been steadily working to bring high-speed internet to all people.”
