Jay Inslee: Washington's 1st Congressional District

Issues

Technology

Expanding Access to Broadband Internet Service

March 25, 2002

Providing access to high-speed internet services is one of the most significant measures we can take to maximize the power of the Internet. Enhancing this dynamic medium will empower many individuals and provide new opportunities. Unfortunately, many constituents in the First Congressional District are without access to broadband Internet services because Internet service providers have not invested in the necessary infrastructure. I have worked hard in Congress to remedy this situation and expand broadband Internet access to all consumers.

Congress has long been in the midst of serious debate about open Internet access, grappling with challenges that traditional regulatory structures pose for Internet based communication. My goal is simple. I want to support legislation to make high-speed Internet access to as many people as possible.

The Tauzin-Dingell Internet Freedom and Broadband Deployment Act (IFBDA), though intended to improve internet access, will give large service providers monopolistic control of the market for internet services. This measure passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 273-157 on February 27, 2002, and has been sent to the Senate for consideration. I voted against IFBDA for a number of reasons.

This bill would allow the Bell operating companies to offer monopolistic high speed data services and prevents the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and each state from regulating the rates, charges, terms or conditions for any high speed data service, as they currently do.

I discussed IFBDA with a number of technology experts in Washington State, in addition to reviewing letters from you and other constituents. In deciding which way to vote, my priorities were to ensure (1) that my constituents had access to broadband technology as soon as possible, (2) that competition remained in this essential utility, and (3) that we not stifle innovation in the broadband industry, or further hurt the economy during a recession. Unfortunately, I concluded that H.R. 1542 ran counter to these goals.

Proponents of IFBDA claim that people are not signing up for broadband because it is not available. A study, however, by Morgan Stanley Dean Witter found that 80% of consumers should now have access to broadband technology, however only about 10% have elected to connect. People are not connecting for two reasons: content and price.

I am confident that Microsoft, RealNetworks, and other innovative companies are resolving the content issue. With respect to price, I believe that competition is the best insurance that costs will come down.

One of the Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in the First Congressional District talked with me about the negative impact this measure could have on the economy. Allowing the major telecommunications companies to put a stranglehold on the broadband cables would put local ISPs out of business, resulting in even more job losses in this time of economic downturn.

I will continue my efforts to support the best solution for expanding access to high-speed data services.