Here Are the Five Policy Presents I Want to Find Under my Tree

The holiday season is a time of reflection, hope, and planning for the future. Of course, it is also a time of giving, and with that in mind here is the list of presents I want to find under my tree from the FCC.

Present Number 1

After four years of NPRMs (Notice of Proposed Rulemaking) with Venn Diagrams that best resembled a Sunflower, I am wishing for a commitment on a single vision that will apply to every communications service, be it Mobile, Cable, Landline or Satellite. Also, that the service should be considered “access” and that all other services are features. The rules will likely need to be tailored, naturally, but it should not be that every strategy is without an upfront vision of a cohesive goal.

Present Number 2

I want the FCC to state as a goal that Video and Voice are just applications, and also say whether they are to be bundled with access, and whether over the top is expected to operate under the same guidelines or under separate rules.  Once again, innovation should be allowed to progress, but the FCC should make it clear that traditional voice services are allowed to innovate (even if the carriers think they need IMS [IP Multimedia Subsystems] to do it).

Present Number 3

I am hoping the FCC really turns off the PSTN in 2018. Thus far, the FCC has been in little more than a holding pattern on this objective, so let’s put a plan together that makes sense. Bring NARUC (National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners) and the rest of the stakeholders together and start the Countdown.

Present Number 4

Visions of the FCC rethinking the RUS (Rural Utilities Service) and BTOP (Broadband Technologies Opportunities Program) proposals are dancing in my head. Putting money into DSL is akin to proposing a mass transit system comprised solely of trolleys. Particularly when almost every one of the to-be-subsidized carriers is offering fixed wireless solutions. Wireless and Internet Services providers should be let into the mix.

Present Number 5

*Please note that this final gift will require FCC Santa and Easter Bunny NARUC cooperation.

Pole Attachments would certainly find my eyes wide with delight … let it be devices go wild!  I want a Carterfone-like decision regarding pole attachments.  If we are going to perform beam forming and other elaborate HetNet strategies to enable broadband wireless services, we have to make it easy to attach and locate.