News & Analysis
FCC chair looks to break Wi-Fi traffic jam
David Benjamin
1/10/2013 8:45 AM EST
Competition, innovation
On the also critical issue of competition among providers of wireless services in the U.S., Genachowski expressed some satisfaction with an increase in the number of competitors in the last two years, but was dismayed that the related area of fiber to the home remains dominated by two providers, Verizon and AT&T. Overall, he said, more competitors are needed in the fast-growing sprawl of mobile communications.
"Competition is the lifeblood of the free market economy," said Genachowski. "The less competition, the more the government has to do to compensate for what competition could accomplish."
The FCC chief extended the issue of competition to other countries that are constraining the competition of ideas by trying to censor or ban content conveyed through the Internet. "There is a censorship threat, as countries around the world that don't believe in freedom recognize that open communications networks are a challenge for them."
In such cases, Genachowski noted, companies that provide Internet content get pressure to limit the flow of information that Americans expect to be completely unfettered. China, among others, filters the Web, denying blocks of content that the country's leaders deem unsuitable for the public, largely for political reasons. Service providers in China have little choice but to comply.
"Outside the United States," he said, "Internet service providers want to solve their business model challenges by changing the business model of the Internet. You see non-democratic regimes arguing for that."
Genachowski reiterated the FCC's position, which was supported by Congressional action, to prevent any filtering of Internet content. "That's very dangerous," he said, noting that public discourse and capitalism both benefit from the full flow of information. "Business models built around openness and Internet freedom are creating a place for investment and innovation" in the U.S.
Genachowski recalled that, four years ago, when he first visited CES during the recession year of 2009 , he spoke to an industry analyst who said that innovation was withering in the U.S., describing it as a "nuclear winter" for new ideas and technologies. But since then, he noted, "Investment and innovation is up both on the service and applications side and on the infrastructure side."
Shapiro credited Genachowski's tenure at the FCC for freeing up the possibilities of wireless communication and reviving a spirit of innovation in consumer electronics. Genachowski underscored that point by noting that today 42 percent of Americans are using either a tablet device or an e-reader, compared to "literally zero" four years ago. He added, "The U.S. now leads the world in 4G and in mobile innovation."
And, with a ninja flourish, he concluded, "You'll never lose money betting on American innovation, even in Las Vegas."
Related stories:
On the also critical issue of competition among providers of wireless services in the U.S., Genachowski expressed some satisfaction with an increase in the number of competitors in the last two years, but was dismayed that the related area of fiber to the home remains dominated by two providers, Verizon and AT&T. Overall, he said, more competitors are needed in the fast-growing sprawl of mobile communications.
"Competition is the lifeblood of the free market economy," said Genachowski. "The less competition, the more the government has to do to compensate for what competition could accomplish."
The FCC chief extended the issue of competition to other countries that are constraining the competition of ideas by trying to censor or ban content conveyed through the Internet. "There is a censorship threat, as countries around the world that don't believe in freedom recognize that open communications networks are a challenge for them."
In such cases, Genachowski noted, companies that provide Internet content get pressure to limit the flow of information that Americans expect to be completely unfettered. China, among others, filters the Web, denying blocks of content that the country's leaders deem unsuitable for the public, largely for political reasons. Service providers in China have little choice but to comply.
"Outside the United States," he said, "Internet service providers want to solve their business model challenges by changing the business model of the Internet. You see non-democratic regimes arguing for that."
Genachowski reiterated the FCC's position, which was supported by Congressional action, to prevent any filtering of Internet content. "That's very dangerous," he said, noting that public discourse and capitalism both benefit from the full flow of information. "Business models built around openness and Internet freedom are creating a place for investment and innovation" in the U.S.
Genachowski recalled that, four years ago, when he first visited CES during the recession year of 2009 , he spoke to an industry analyst who said that innovation was withering in the U.S., describing it as a "nuclear winter" for new ideas and technologies. But since then, he noted, "Investment and innovation is up both on the service and applications side and on the infrastructure side."
Shapiro credited Genachowski's tenure at the FCC for freeing up the possibilities of wireless communication and reviving a spirit of innovation in consumer electronics. Genachowski underscored that point by noting that today 42 percent of Americans are using either a tablet device or an e-reader, compared to "literally zero" four years ago. He added, "The U.S. now leads the world in 4G and in mobile innovation."
And, with a ninja flourish, he concluded, "You'll never lose money betting on American innovation, even in Las Vegas."
Related stories:
|
|
|
|
|
Navigate to related information
iniewski
1/10/2013 6:41 PM EST
so how is exactly the WiFi spectrum jam proposed to be solved? I don't see a single GHz number in the article...RF spectrum is finite so what is canceled or re-located? Kris
Sign in to Reply
Bert22306
1/10/2013 7:25 PM EST
I had the same question.
The way this FCC is attempting to solve the problem is to grab spectrum from TV broadcasters, for purposes like this or to expand cellular service. Genachowski wants to take over 100 MHz of spectrum away from broadcasters, i.e. everything above Channel 31. It's not clear how that will pan out, because theoretically it would be "voluntary."
That approach would impact TV big time, if you're one who uses over the air signals (as I do). Internet distribution of TV would help, perhaps, unless the networks suddenly stop providing content over the Internet. I would object if the FCC "forced" me into a subscription scheme, with this sort of spectrum-grab solution. A cynic would say that's what the FCC is trying to do.
Sign in to Reply
daleste
1/10/2013 10:23 PM EST
I agree. The article was way too vague. Kind of like everything the government is telling us. They promise to make things better but only take away more of our freedom.
Sign in to Reply
junko.yoshida
1/11/2013 9:11 AM EST
The spectrum will be in the 5Ghz range. FCC will unveil more details later this month, I believe.
Sign in to Reply
DrQuine
1/14/2013 11:12 PM EST
My home WiFi is running at 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. If new frequencies are added we will need to buy new SmartPhones, iPads, and new wireless routers. Ideally, the new (faster) frequencies will attract new technology users and allow the legacy systems to operate in a less cluttered space at the old frequencies.
Sign in to Reply