Open Networks Key to Broadband Deployment in Underserved U.S.

[ I participated in this Big Think. Incredible experience.]

“Big Think” International Team Declares Open Networks Cost Less and Create Naturally Competitive Markets

March 27, 2009 Bucketty, Australia An international team of telecommunications experts has weighed in the current debates on US broadband policies. Their “big picture” idea -- open networks -- can, if brought into practice, bring positive and transformative change to America’s communications infrastructure, and, indeed, the large swaths of social and economic activity that rely on that infrastructure, particularly in the underserved rural areas.

“We are not suggesting some radical new experiment in regulatory philosophy,” said Paul Budde, leader of the Big Think team. “The idea of open networks is already deeply embedded in the U.S. communications regulatory framework. We are suggesting a return to traditional regulatory concepts and values that have served the U.S. well for many decades, both in communications regulation and elsewhere.”

The 19-page report outlines how open networks can:

• Unlock the potential for economic growth
• Operate with greater efficiency and permit higher levels of beneficial economic and technological activity
• Encourage increased productive use of all infrastructures
• Utilize principles that are simpler and more transparent and result in less regulatory requirements
• Require significantly less public funding
• Provide a cost effective means for building expensive rural infrastructure

The report has been produced by an international team of telecommunications experts from the following countries: America, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Sweden and the United Kingdom. This group is composed of strategists, economists, attorneys, technologists, representatives of national and international telecommunication organisations and telecommunications company directors.

The full paper is available at URL here.
http://www.budde.com.au/presentations/content/Comments_of_Big_Think_Strategies_FCC_Docket_No-GN_09-29_March_25_2009_final_as_filed.pdf

For more information and/or comments from experts: paul@budde.com.au