Remarks of Commissioner Ajit Pai at WISPAPALOOZA

President Ronald Reagan wisely said that the “government’s view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it.” Unfortunately, I’m worried that’s where the [Federal Communications Commission] might be headed when it comes to the Internet.

By imposing Title II regulation, universal service charges would be added to Americans’ broadband bills and onerous new regulations would be placed on service providers. And then, when our rules drive many small [fixed wireless Internet service providers] out of business, the FCC would have to provide greater subsidies to encourage others companies to serve the rural areas that WISPs used to cover without any subsidy at all. Needless to say, I don’t think that this strategy makes any sense whatsoever, whether in Washington or anywhere across this country’s vast expanses. I hope that the free-market, innovative examples of Wave Wireless, of JAB Broadband, of netBlazr, and so many others among you, persuade the FCC to choose the better course.