The FCC still needs to do much more...
The FCC still needs to do much more to speed broadband deployment in Indian country, ex-Commissioner Michael Copps told the National Native Media Conference on Saturday. “Here’s my take: what we lack is a sense of true national mission when…
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it comes to broadband,” said the Democrat, according to a transcript of the speech in Tempe, Ariz. “This Administration understands broadband better than did its predecessor, no question about that. But its solutions and those of Congress still leave us far short of the goal. That may be understandable -- but it is not acceptable.” Copps said broadband stimulus grants “are fine, and they help,” but only went so far. “They don’t scale up to the magnitude of the problem,” he said. “Fixing Universal Service is essential, and the Commission is embarked on that, but relying just on Universal Service and very limited grant-making to bring broadband to every American is hoping for what will never be. What I am talking about cannot happen without scale, without investment, and without a genuine sense of mission.” Copps said it’s time to ask: “Where’s the broadband? Where’s the connectivity? Why aren’t we in the vanguard of nations in the broadband sweepstakes?” Copps also warned attendees they should care about media consolidation to guarantee their issues get solid, local coverage. “Already this year, media consolidation has surpassed $5 billion,” he said. “It is time, my friends, for the FCC to start saying ‘No!’ to this cascading consolidation. The pending Gannett-Belo consolidation is just the latest example. … Here’s a good place for the Commission to start getting serious about consolidation.” Copps questioned arguments by Gannett/Belo at the time the deal was unveiled last month (CD June 14 p7). “They say they are just sharing resources when, in reality, they are calling all the shots and making all the decisions for their so-called partners,” Copps said Saturday. “It’s no different than outright ownership. It makes a mockery of FCC rules and disserves the public interest. Why the FCC tolerates it is beyond me. And be warned: if the Gannet-Belo deal is approved, you will very likely see these things happening right here in Arizona, in both the Phoenix and Tucson media markets."