Comments on Communications Act Modernization

7 Pages Posted: 4 Feb 2014

See all articles by Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett

High Tech Forum

Jeffrey A. Eisenach

NERA Economic Consulting; American Enterprise Institute

James K. Glassman

George W. Bush Institute

Bronwyn E. Howell

Victoria University of Wellington - School of Management

Justin (Gus) Hurwitz

International Center for Law & Economics (ICLE); University of Pennsylvania Law School

Roslyn Layton

Aalborg University, Department of Electronic Systems, Center for Communication, Media and Information Technologies

Bret Swanson

Entropy Economics LLC

Date Written: January 31, 2014

Abstract

We, the undersigned scholars at the American Enterprise Institute's Center for Internet, Communications, and Technology Policy, respond below to your request for comments on your white paper on “Modernizing the Communications Act.”

Our comments are based upon two foundational points. First, the historical silo-based approach to communications regulation is inapposite to the modern communications ecosystem. Second, the Federal Communications Commission’s (“FCC,” or “Commission”) functions are largely duplicative of those of other agencies. It is therefore our view that Congress should revise the approach taken by the Communications Act, eliminate the silo-based structure and replace it with a technology-neutral, competition-oriented approach. Concurrent with this process, Congress should rationalize the Commission, apportioning the majority of its functions and resources to its sister agencies. In particular, Congress should consider merging the FCC’s competition and consumer protection functions with those of the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”), thus combining the FCC’s industry expertise and capabilities with the generic statutory authority of the FTC. More broadly, it is our view that many of the important functions and resources currently housed in the Commission can be redeployed – not eliminated – to yield a more coherent and streamlined regulatory edifice that would more effectively serve the goals of consumers, competitors, and Congress.

Keywords: FCC, FTC, #CommActUpdate, Communications Act, consolidation, silo, communications regulations, Internet

Suggested Citation

Bennett, Richard and Eisenach, Jeffrey A. and Glassman, James K. and Howell, Bronwyn E. and Hurwitz, Justin (Gus) and Layton, Roslyn and Swanson, Bret Thomas, Comments on Communications Act Modernization (January 31, 2014). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2388723 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2388723

Richard Bennett

High Tech Forum ( email )

869 S. Cole Dr.
Lakewood, CO 80228
United States
415-967-2900 (Phone)

HOME PAGE: http://hightechforum.org

Jeffrey A. Eisenach (Contact Author)

NERA Economic Consulting

1255 23rd Street, NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20037
United States
202-448-9029 (Phone)
202-466-3605 (Fax)

HOME PAGE: http://www.nera.com

American Enterprise Institute ( email )

1150 17th Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20036
United States

James K. Glassman

George W. Bush Institute ( email )

2943 SMU Boulevard
Dallas, TX 75205
United States

Bronwyn E. Howell

Victoria University of Wellington - School of Management ( email )

Wellington 6001
New Zealand
+64 4 463 5563 (Phone)
+64 4 463 5566 (Fax)

Justin (Gus) Hurwitz

International Center for Law & Economics (ICLE) ( email )

5005 SW Meadows Rd.
Suite 300
Lake Oswego, OR 97035
United States

University of Pennsylvania Law School ( email )

3501 Sansom Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
United States

Roslyn Layton

Aalborg University, Department of Electronic Systems, Center for Communication, Media and Information Technologies ( email )

A.C. Meyers Vænge 15
Frederikskaj Bldg., 3rd Floor
Copenhagen, 2450
Denmark
+45 9940 3641 (Phone)

HOME PAGE: http://https://vbn.aau.dk/en/persons/roslyn-mae-layton

Bret Thomas Swanson

Entropy Economics LLC ( email )

156 S. First Street
Zionsville, IN 46077
United States
(317) 663-0509 (Phone)

HOME PAGE: http://entropyeconomics.com

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