| Comment Number: | 527031-00057 |
| Received: | 2/28/2007 11:38:17 PM |
| Organization: | SBE Council |
| Commenter: | Karen Kerrigan |
| State: | VA |
| Agency: | Federal Trade Commission |
| Rule: | Broadband Connectivity Competition Policy |
| No Attachments: |
Comments:
February 28, 2007 Federal Trade Commission/Office of the Secretary Room H-135 (Annex B) 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20580. RE: Broadband Connectivity Competition Policy Workshop – Comment, Project No. V070000 Dear Commissioners: I am writing to voice the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Council’s (SBE Council) concern regarding proposed government interference packaged as “net neutrality.” Such “pre-regulation” without proof that anything harmful has been or will be done undoubtedly will have unintended consequences for the development of the Internet, and in turn for our nation’s entrepreneurs. Advocates of “net neutrality” are trying to put forth the notion that broadband service providers somehow are poised to deny adequate service to content providers, and/or deny or hamper access to certain content by consumers. They include small business owners as those who would be harmed if “net neutrality” is not imposed. Of course, the obvious question is: What incentive would broadband service providers have to aggravate those they are in business to serve – content providers, consumers and small business owners? These companies would be undermining their own business. Hence, we have certain parties agitating Congress, the states and regulatory agencies to regulate when no need exists. Broadband service providers, content providers, entrepreneurs and consumers need the freedom to develop various business models, to experiment and to innovate, in order to see what works best in the marketplace. Consumers, of course, will be the final judge and jury. Net neutrality would vastly limit such experimentation, and place government regulators in the role of decision-makers when it comes to the future of the Internet. Government dictates will only serve to stifle innovation, limit choices, and shift many costs directly onto the backs of consumers and small business owners. Incentives to invest in expanding and improving broadband networks would be diminished as well. The Internet remains “undeveloped.” Crushing incentives to innovate would only impair future economic growth, productivity, entrepreneurship and new and unseen possibilities that will accompany a more robust Internet. Please feel free to contact SBE Council if we can be of assistance on this important issue that most certainly affects a wide range of entrepreneurs – as content and service providers and consumers on the Internet, as well as the innovators in its future development and evolution. Sincerely, Karen Kerrigan President and CEO