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Media
Center > Press Releases
For Immediate Release November 19,
2002
Contact: Rob Stoddard, 202/775-3629 |
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LAW REVIEW ARTICLE CONCLUDES THAT "OPEN ACCESS"
INTERNET REGIME DOES MORE HARM THAN
GOOD
In this law review article, entitled "Hits
and Myths from 'Cable Access,'" published by Michigan State
University - Detroit College of Law (Volume 2002, Fall, Issue
3), Daniel Brenner, Senior VP, Law and Regulatory Policy at
the National Cable & Telecommunications Association
(NCTA), concludes that there are more harms than benefits to
an "open access" internet service provider (ISP) regime.
As to open access benefits, Brenner notes that while
some "diversity" in customer service or billing plans might
result by requiring access for unaffiliated ISPs on cable
plants,
- first amendment diversity is not enhanced by forced
access;
- cable operators provide unfettered access to all
Internet web sites;
- access to content is not restricted; and the minuses of
a forced access regime outweigh the benefits.
Complex government regulation of price and access
terms and a slow-down of broadband access technology at a
relatively early stage in its development pose significant
costs. Brenner concludes that vigilance by the FCC to insure
continued wide access to content is a desirable government
objective, but greater regulation would be a
mistake.
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