[March 22, 2005] Communications Policy for 2005 and Beyond Tweet STANFORD, Calif., March 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Reed E. Hundt, former chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and Gregory L. Rosston, deputy director of the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research (SIEPR) and former deputy chief economist of the FCC have put together their ideas for a clearly defined set of goals for communications policy. This should help the new FCC chairman, Kevin Martin. Currently, the United States has a communications policy in place that does not state clearly its own goals, yet applies regulations that greatly affect outcomes. A better communications policy would substitute markets for regulation as a way to determine both what is sold and what price is paid while continuing to be conscious of specific market power concerns and obtaining efficiently social benefits. Hundt and Rosston believe the Administration and Congress should create a bipartisan and independent commission to suggest a complete overhaul of the law and policy for communications, and to do so by mid-2005. In the paper http://siepr.stanford.edu/papers/pdf/04-07.html, they make numerous proposals to improve communications policy: -- A neutral tax policy that does not distort consumer choice or competition -- Availability of public property as an input to service at cost. -- Increased availability of spectrum and commitments to future releases of spectrum -- A decision about maintaining or disbanding unbundling -- Application of Title 2 regulation and forbearance unless competitive problems arise -- Wholesale revamping of universal service programs -- Clear division of federal, state and local jurisdictions -- Federal regulatory authorities should set interconnection and openness policies, should deregulate retail pricing, and should assure pro-competitive market structures. -- Local jurisdictions should assure that rights of way and other public property rights are available to all service providers, consistent with a general federal mandate. -- The Trinko decision notwithstanding, Congress should make it clear that the Telecommunications Act and other subsequent legislation does not give a free pass to companies that violate the laws that protect consumers from anticompetitive practices. This roadmap should lead Kevin Martin and more importantly the American public to much success. Hundt, [email protected] or 202 494 4111, and Rosston, [email protected] or 650-725 0722, are available for comment. Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research CONTACT: Reed E. Hundt, +1-202-494-4111, or [email protected]; or GregoryL. Rosston of Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research,+1-650-725-0722, or [email protected] Web site: http://www.sieprestandford.edu/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]