Economists to FCC: Wireless and Wired Broadband Are Equal

[Commentary] On Friday, economists at a Federal Communications Commission National Broadband Plan workshop debate how the wireline duopoly affects the market for broadband in the US and the majority of speakers insisted that when it comes to broadband access regulators need to also look at the wireless market. While typically a region will be served by one DSL provider and one cable provider, explained Marius Schwartz, a professor of economics at Georgetown University, there are also four national wireless carriers that can provide broadband service as well. If the FCC is going to view the wireless providers as a true nationwide substitution for wired broadband, then Higginbotham supposes it's good that it's trying to bring the same set of rules and standards for Network Neutrality to play for wireless operators. However, believing that wireless is a credible substitute for wired broadband is like believing that Molly McButter's powdered flakes are a credible substitute for the real thing.