Skip to main content

Net Neutrality: Luke, Beware of the Dark Side

USA Today asks the question, 'Who will pay for the Internet superhighway?' as the title of an editorial. Their article defines the topic this way -- "In the media and the halls of Congress, the Internet, phone and cable TV industries are raising a ruckus over net neutrality. What's the squabble about?"

I have an alternative title for their column, "Truth, Lies and the Unguided Manipulation of Public Policy." Perhaps this dialogue is missing the inclusion of the greater question -- as the U.S. slips further within the national ranking of the global networked economy, what will be done to stop the U.S. rank slipping to #20 in 'real broadband' market penetration?

For those of you who don't fully comprehend the implications of this apparent crisis, let me use a simple analogy.

U.S. public policy is similar to "the force" in the Star Wars fictional series storyline -- it can be used for both good and evil purposes. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is similar to the Jedi High Council, and the U.S. House and Senate are similar to the the Chancellors of the Galactic Republic. OK, are you with me so far? Jolly good!

Well, just like in the fictional Star Wars, here in the highly competitive global networked economy of the real world politicians need to be guided by trusted advisors who can make the determination between what is inherently good and evil.

IMHO, the ultimate question that should be asked -- by USA Today, or whomever -- is can the current FCC commissioners collectively guide the nation's telecom and Internet infrastructure debate in the right direction? (hint: siding with the 'dark side' is unwise).

As America prepares to insert a decisive policy keystone in the foundation for its forward-looking economic position within this rapidly evolving 21st Century, I say "may the 'good force' be with you." Choose wisely, young Luke (a metaphor for a 200+ year-old immature nation, about to make an important decision).

Popular posts from this blog

Open Banking Usage to Grow by 470 Percent

The Open Banking business model has been advantageous for Third-Party Providers (TPPs), helping them to extend their offerings into other areas of financial services with new capabilities. Open Banking is also advantageous for traditional banking institutions, despite the perceived loss of custodianship over their data, by providing greater accessibility to more bank services. Furthermore, Open Banking can help serve Mobile Internet providers that are able to leverage it to create tailored services according to customers’ preferences and/or economic limitations. Open Banking Market Development Since traditional banking services are made more convenient by TPPs via greater data access, customers can proactively manage their finances and shape the development of new financial offerings. This is particularly noticeable in the realm of Digital Payments, where retail merchants and customers transact through eCommerce, which has the greatest number of use cases for Open Banking. These includ

Why Instant Issuance Payment Cards Evolved

The global financial services sector continues to grow as more progressive organizations seek to gain a meaningful competitive advantage from their digital transformation initiatives. Across the globe, many regions are seeing a significant rise in 'instant issuance' activity from a physical and digital perspective, from both traditional and emerging innovative banking institutions. Digital Payments Market Development Customers increasingly demand instant access to banking services, with physical instant issuance enabling them to leave their branch equipped with a ready-to-go payment card. According to the latest worldwide market study by ABI Research, the market for instantly issued physical payment cards will increase from 243.2 million shipments in 2022 to a forecast of 471.1 million in 2027. "Critically, instant issuance of payment cards is no longer limited to the physical," said Sam Gazeley, industry analyst at ABI Research . Indeed, the growing digitization of p

Global Digital Business and IT Consulting Outlook

Across the globe, CEOs and their leadership teams continue to seek information and guidance about planned Digital Transformation initiatives and the most effective enterprise organization change management practices. Worldwide IT and Business Services revenue will grow from $1.13 trillion in 2022 to $1.2 trillion in 2023 -- that's a 5.7 percent year-over-year growth, according to the latest market study by International Data Corporation (IDC). The mid-term to long-term outlook for the market has also increased -- the five-year CAGR is forecast at 5.2 percent, compared to the previous 4.9 percent. Digital Sevices & Consulting Market Development IDC has raised the growth projection despite a weak economic outlook, because of vendor performances across 2022, growth indicators from adjacent markets, increased government funding, and inflation impacts. The actual 2022 market growth was 6.7 percent (in constant currency), which was 87 basis points higher than forecast last year, alth