I knew Moses, he was friend of mine, and you’re no Moses.
Nice try, though, Mr. Chairman. Your creativity, though a bit corny, is admirable as you lead the telecommunications industry to the promised land via the information superhighway.
Mount Sinai it wasn’t. But there, at the Royal Institute of International Affairs in London, FCC Chairman Reed Hundt outlined his Seven Commandments (maybe seven instead of 10 for the luck he’ll need to survive all the legal challenges to telecom reform rulings).
The First Commandment: “If a country has a single, strong national telecommunications firm, it has a big problem.” In stone tablet lingo: Thou shall break up all telecom monopolies if thou knows what’s good for it.
The Second Commandment: “Any nation that champions a national telecom firm and limits foreign investment is wasting its money and turning down a big opportunity.” Translated: Thou shall not erect foreign trade barriers.
The Third Commandment: “When governments intervene in markets in the name of guaranteeing universal service, they generally don’t make anything universal, and they don’t enhance telecom service.” Translated: Thou shall substitute competition for subsidies.
The Fourth Commandment: “Every country does not need two redundant wireline networks.” Translated: Thou shall open the market to all technologies.
The Fifth Commandment: “If you’re not awarding spectrum licenses by auction, you’re making a big mistake. And if you’re not awarding all other licenses in essentially no time and in infinite amounts, you’re making a bigger mistake.” Translated: Thou shall auction all spectrum or be damned for eternity.
The Sixth Commandment: “After you auction the licenses, let the market work.” Translated: Thou shall auction and get out of the way.
The Seventh Commandment: “The right goal for international communications is the same as the goal for domestic communications: no more regulation of communications than of soap or software or shoes.” Translated: Thou shall deregulate everything, but broadcasting.
Moses you’re not, but we’ll give you a tryout for Charlton Heston. How’s that?
Congress set to markup “leash law” a.k.a. FCC modernization act.
Congrats and get well wishes to Don Gips, recovering from a back injury amid being named full-time chief of the International Bureau.
Returning Ruth Milkman named deputy chief of the International Bureau, after a stint in the front office.
John Stern joins Gips as senior legal adviser.
