Major wireless policy debates are increasingly ceasing to be Inside-the-Beltway brawls limited to high-powered lobbyists hired by well-heeled, warring industry factions.
Instead, proponents of ambitiously controversial proposals-particularly those promising to extend the reach of a free and open Internet-have been able to tap into a populist vein that has manifested itself in massive letter-writing campaigns and Web-based advocacy that seeks to influence policy-making at the Federal Communications Commission, in Congress and other power corridors of official Washington.
One factor is the net neutrality debate-pitting Google Inc., Yahoo!, consumer groups and others against AT&T Inc., Verizon Communications Inc. and cable TV giants and Democrats against Republicans-that has bled into the wireless space. But the debate’s relevancy to the mobile-phone industry would be speculative-if not meaningless-if not for the inherent reality that wireless and Internet technologies are forever converging. Moreover, both technologies-separate and combined-are becoming wildly popular mainstays of everyday life.
That means when wireless carriers are battling Cyren Call Communications Inc., Frontline Wireless L.L.C., M2Z Networks Inc., Google and Skype Ltd., they are really up against hundreds of thousands of foot soldiers aligned-directly and indirectly-with groups such as Public Knowledge, Free Press, Media Access Project, Consumers Union, MoveOn.org and state and local organizations throughout the country. Whether they are familiar with net neutrality or the Carterfone decision is doubtful, if relevant. It’s the nuts and bolts of grass-roots campaigns: building momentum, creating a sense of urgency and ultimately leveraging the power of numbers to shape public policy.
It is not unusual for the groups to join forces-as is the case with the SavetheInternet.com Coalition-exploiting the very communications technology-the Internet-that they want rescued from broadband duopoly control and free from restrictions that have yet to materialize.
The groups combined to flood the FCC with the names of a quarter-million citizens packaged in tens of thousands of public comments-all supporting the open access component of Frontline’s 700 MHz commercial-public safety broadband plan.
“The auction of the public airwaves is a chance for political leaders to ensure that all Americans have access to high-speed Internet,” said Timothy Karr, campaign director of Free Press, which coordinates the SavetheInternet.com Coalition. “The current business model-a marketplace dominated by cable and phone companies-has failed. We need open networks to better foster new entrants and innovation while driving down costs to the consumer. . The 700 MHz band could beam high-speed Internet signals to every park bench, schoolroom, workplace and home in America. But cable and phone companies want the FCC to structure the spectrum auction so that they can scoop up licenses and continue to dominate Internet access.”
Effectiveness measurements elusive
While the grass-roots campaigns have succeeded in creating a buzz in wireless policy debates in the nation’s capital, their effectiveness is unclear. Net neutrality failed to win approval in the GOP-led Congress last year, but the Democratic takeover of the House and Senate has not led to a legislative resurgence. On the other hand, House telecom subcommittee Chairman Edward Markey (D-Mass.) shows no sign of giving up his fight for net neutrality.
It is easy to forget that the $120 billion mobile-phone industry, besides having a powerful lobby, services nearly 240 million subscribers. Those numbers dwarf those of the pro-net neutrality camp and there is little sign that the cellular industry’s customer base is ready to rise and revolt over net neutrality.
The mobile-phone industry is keenly aware net neutrality-though not explicitly a pressing issue for wireless carriers-is nonetheless a government regulation waiting to happen in one form other. Cellphone industry trade group CTIA gives prominent placement to net neutrality opposition on its Web site. When the Federal Trade Commission recently approved a staff report urging caution on broadband Internet regulation, CTIA swiftly issued a press release applauding the action and taunting the net neutrality crowd for crying wolf again.
“Debates about issues are important and necessary but even more important is that we base them on facts and empirical knowledge, not hypothetical conspiracy theories. The comprehensive FTC report released today is yet another collection of facts that clearly depicts the Internet regulation plot as a solution in search of a problem,” said CTIA President Steve Largent.
