Thursday, June 3, 2010

Broadband Speed Labels - Is the FCC nuts?

We've all come to know and love the nutrition labels required by the FDA for any consumed food item, right? Or, what about the stickers on all new vehicles that designate an EPA and fuel mileage rating. These federally-mandated disclosures provide valuable information for consumers. So, why not disclose broadband speeds in the same way?

That's just what the FCC is proposing. As a part of the Broadband Plan (or, what some consider an addition to the plan), the FCC has proposed some form of required disclosure that would affect all broadband providers. The data would be presented in a series of common metrics to allow for reasonable comparisons among vendors.

But, is this really what our nation needs, or is the FCC nuts? Well, let's first ask ourselves the desired result. The FDA required food labeling to encourage smarter eating and a healthier culture. The EPA required MPG labeling to encourage more fuel-efficient cars and a cleaner environment. What pandemic social problem will the FCC be able to thwart? What's the deep, scarring impact on our economy when a business buys a slower internet connection than they should have? After the FCC's recent announcement of their intentions for such a labeling requirement, many in the telecom industry were simply wondering: WHY?

The biggest threat to our nation's economy related to broadband is the utter lack of availability for rural areas. Where no options exist, the addition of labeling is of little value. The FCC may offer rural businesses the ability to compare zero to zero, but what we need most greatly is a plan to bring at least one broadband option to these areas.

If the nation were inundated with countless broadband options seemingly indistinguishable one from another, AND the impact of a poor buying decision had socio-economic impact on a grand scale, then I could see the need for such a labeling system. As it stands, however, I would encourage the FCC to put tighter regulation on hold while it implements a plan to bring broader service areas to unreached areas.

Labels: Broadband Plan, Broadband Speed, Economy, FCC