Yosef Getachew

Common Cause submitted comments in response to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA)’s Request for Comment on the implementation of broadband programs found within the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Common Cause's recommendations include:

Major broadband providers, both telecom and cable, have chosen not to build their networks to areas they deem less profitable and not to upgrade many existing customers left behind by outdated technology. These choices entrench the far too wide digital divide and mean Americans pay some of the highest prices for service. At the same time, the largest ISPs have used their outsized influence in Congress to block any legislation that would undermine their stranglehold over the broadband marketplace.

Public Knowledge, Communications Workers of America, National Digital Inclusion Alliance, Next Century Cities, Common Cause, and Greenlining Institute filed an ex parte warning the Federal Communications Commission that its deregulatory agenda leaves consumers vulnerable to losing broadband service during the pandemic. AT&T recently told the FCC that it is discontinuing DSL broadband service.

Access to affordable broadband is crucial for a functioning 21st century democracy. As technology advances, many of our basic democratic values depend on robust connectivity. Broadband enhances civic engagement, participation in the democratic process, and a responsive government.

The record shows extensive opposition to the Federal Communications Commission’s 2017 Restoring Internet Freedom Order and the grave danger it poses to public safety and public health, particularly during the COVID-19 crisis. Public health and public safety officials detail in the record how both officials and the public writ large rely on mass-market retail broadband internet access services (BIAS).

Facebook's hands-off policy toward political ads poses a danger to our democracy. Giving politicians free rein to spread lies using political ads shows a disregard for the role Facebook and other social media platforms play in disseminating information to voters and how political candidates can abuse these policies to spread disinformation. First, it's important to understand the unique role Facebook and other social media platforms play when it comes to advertising. Facebook's business model is based on collecting as much data on its users as possible.

At the end of the day, each action the Federal Communications Commission took described below has furthered Sinclair’s efforts to merge with Tribune at the expense of consumers.

Gift 1: Creating the Landscape for Sinclair to Merge by Reinstating the UHF Discount

Gift 2: Feeding Into Sinclair’s Business Model by Eliminating the Main Studio Rule

Gift 3: Sweeping Away Legal Problems With the Merger by Relaxing Media Ownership Rules

Gift 4: Giving Sinclair Benefits in the ATSC 3.0 Transition

Gift 5: Proposing to Eliminate the National Ownership Cap

Open internet principles were not the only value in classifying broadband under Title II. Like our telephone networks used to be, access to broadband has become necessary for full participation in society. Therefore, Title II classification is critical in protecting our fundamental values of universal service and consumer protection when accessing broadband networks.

While the Federal Communications Commission forebore from applying the majority of Title II to broadband networks, the agency kept a number of provisions in place to ensure consumers have ubiquitous and affordable connectivity, privacy, and other consumer protections when online.

After a proceeding that has stretched on for more than a decade, the Federal Communications Commission’s largest ever data collection, and numerous delays, the fight over business data services (BDS) reform (previously referred to as “special access” reform) could be nearing its end. FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler has repeatedly promised the FCC is finally set to reform the BDS market this year by lowering the rates that monopoly phone companies can charge to businesses, institutions, and wireless carriers, and promoting new competition and market entry. In Sept, Public Knowledge, along with other public interest and consumer advocates sent a letter to Congress urging Members to support the FCC’s effort in making the BDS market more competitive. Oct 4, we joined 11 other public interest and consumer advocates in a letter to the FCC.

Crucially, BDS reform must address excessive pricing for both legacy TDM services and high-capacity Ethernet services. Failure to address monopoly Ethernet pricing only preserves incumbent carrier monopoly pricing and green lights anti-competitive behavior in the future. Even with a wealth of information indicating that the BDS market is broken and controlled by monopoly telecom providers, opponents are still fighting to delay or kill the common sense reforms that business customers, consumers, wireless carriers, and the vast majority of the telecom industry have coalesced around. Opponents of BDS reform are using the only tool in their arsenal – calling for more delay and questioning the FCC’s process. These are losing arguments, and tired tactics. The evidence overwhelmingly shows there are only one or two BDS providers in a majority of customer locations. The FCC must act now to create much needed incentives for competition in the BDS market while protecting consumers and promoting economic growth. For too long, businesses and consumers have been hurt by exorbitant rates while BDS providers have seen windfall profits. It’s not often that both businesses and consumers benefit from new regulations, but in this case, BDS reform is a no-brainer for both sides.