The IP/Broadband Transition -- Public Policy Still Matters

Anna-Maria Kovacs’ recent white paper, prepared on behalf of the Internet Innovation Alliance, argues (1) that incumbent local exchange carriers (ILECs) are not investing in broadband because of alleged regulatory obligations that require wasteful investment in “duplicate” copper-based circuit-switched networks; (2) that the small volume of voice traffic, compared to all Internet protocol (IP) traffic, negates the importance of policy oversight of the IP transition; and (3) that competition has given consumers “a plethora of choices,” over “various platforms,” which further undermines the need for regulatory oversight. Dr. Kovacs’ arguments do not stand up to scrutiny.

This transition does not eliminate the underlying public policy objectives that regulators have promoted -- affordable rates, high quality services, 911 access, or broadband deployment. The following areas continue to require the attention of policymakers, regardless of the technology that is utilized to provide critical telecommunications services: Affordability, Limited Competition, Reliability and Service Quality, Access to Emergency Services, Carrier of Last Resort and Universal Service, and Informed Consumers and Consumer Education.