Comm Policy 2015 - Background Readings

This collection of reading materials was created to prepare participants for the 2015 Aspen Institute Conference on Communications Policy by providing an overview of and background information on the topic, “The Future of Broadband Competition.”  The selection of readings introduces a range of policy issues associated with the broadband competitive marketplace.  It is not intended to be a comprehensive collection of materials on the topic, but rather an overview of subjects relevant to the 2015 Communications Policy dialogue.

Background Readings

Tom Wheeler, “The Facts and Future of Broadband Competition,” Prepared Remarks at 1776 Headquarters, Washington, DC, September 4, 2014. Available online: https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-329161A1.pdf

Federal Communications Commission, National Broadband Plan: Connecting America, “Chapter 4: Broadband Competition and Innovation Policy,” 2010. Available online: http://www.broadband.gov/plan/4-broadband-competition-and-innovation-policy/

Federal Communications Commission, “2015 Broadband Report,” February 4, 2015, Executive Summary, pages 81-85. Available online: https://www.fcc.gov/reports/2015-broadband-progress-report

Federal Register, “Broadband Opportunity Council Notice and Request for Comment,” Vol. 80, No. 82, April 29, 2015. Available online: https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2015/04/29/2015-09996/broadband-opportunity-council-notice-and-request-for-comment

Google Inc., “Comments: Broadband Opportunity Council Notice and Request for Comment,” June 10, 2015.  Available online: http://www.ntia.doc.gov/files/ntia/google_inc_boc.pdf

AT&T Services, Inc., “AT&T Comments to Broadband Opportunity Council,” June 10, 2015. Available online: http://www.ntia.doc.gov/files/ntia/att_services_inc_boc.pdf

Gig.U, “From Gigabit Testbeds to the “Game of Gigs”,” Third Annual Report of Gig.U, August 2014.  Available online: http://www.gig-u.org/cms/assets/uploads/2012/12/81714-Gig.U-Final-Report-Draft-1.pdf

D. Daniel Sokol, et al., “Filing by Professors of Antitrust Law and Economics in Comcast – Time Warner Cable, MB Docket No. 14-57,” October 20, 2014.  Available online: http://apps.fcc.gov/ecfs/document/view?id=60000974628

Comcast Corporation and Time Warner Cable Inc., “Applicants’ Reply to Responses,” December 23, 2014, pages 44-53, 57-60.  Available online: http://corporate.comcast.com/images/2014-12-23-AS-FILED-REDACTED-Final-Comcast-TWC-Reply-Comments-Combined.pdf

Quentin Hardy, “The World’s Coming Digital Divide,” The New York Times, May 31, 2015. Available online: http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/05/31/the-coming-broadband-divide/

Brian Fung, “37 million Americans don’t use the Web. Here’s why you should care.” The Washington Post, July 29, 2015. Available online: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/2015/07/29/37-million-american-adults-dont-use-the-web-heres-why-you-should-care/

Daniel Burrus, “The Internet of Things is Far Bigger than Anyone Realizes,” Wired, November 2014.  Available online: http://www.wired.com/2014/11/the-internet-of-things-bigger/