I’m from the government and I am here to help. Many of the world’s most deadly events begin with a promise like this one. Sure, government sometimes manages to do some good. Some people would even tell you government does more good than harm. That may even be true. However, we should ask ourselves a few questions when we hear that the FCC is going to take control of national broadband.
The Federal Communications Commission said today that it has taken the first step toward developing a National Broadband plan to ensure that all Americans have access to high-speed Internet connections. A CNET report notes, however, that the process could get bogged down by special interest groups who may use the opportunity to push their agendas on topics such as Net Neutrality. The FCC’s announcement today calls for input from “all stakeholders: consumers, industry, large and small businesses, non-profits, the disabilities community, governments at the federal, state, local and tribal levels, and all other interested parties.”
Who voted for this program? Who elected the FCC to be in charge of my bandwidth choices? And where is all the funding to “make things better” going to come from?
Now, the FCC has been given $7.2 billion of stimulus money to bring broadband access to every American. I think we should be very afraid. Unless the FCC vastly improves its game, this is going to be a sinkhole for your, and my, dollars. The FCC is required to submit a plan to Congress by next Feb. 17 that will bring broadband to all Americans at affordable prices. Already, the carriers are lining up to protect the status quo–a situation that already is not working.
There are two things I know from having been in the military for 12 years. The first is that nothing ever goes according to any plan I’ve ever seen hatched up by a government employee – myself included. Second, there is no constitutional mandate for nationally managed broadband.
I am not convinced that we need another federal body to manage yet another aspect of American life. On the other side of the coin, I would like to see widespread penetration of cheap broadband. I’m predicting that whatever they say this is going to cost will be 20 to 30 times underestimated. However long they tell you it is going to take will be off by at least 10 years. You’ll get your cheap fat pipe but it will be closely monitored and you’ll have to pay way more than they told you for the privilege of your “free” Internet.
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