Should Government Regulate the Airwaves? The Debate Continues
In February 2009, television broadcasters will convert to digital signals. The FCC has to auction off the freed up airwaves, worth as much as $15 billion, according to Bloomberg reports. This in turn has led Web-based companies like Google and eBay to adamantly propose regulations that would require that any device or application -- by law -- be able to work on all networks. Google is also pushing for airwaves to be rented by the owner at discounted rates.
These proposals don't sit well with the telecom providers that want to use airwaves to bolster their own networks. Verizon did provide a bit of a compromise, proposing that owners allow any device onto its network, but not be required to guarantee that all Web applications will work properly.
This whole situation reintroduces an issue that government and the commercial market alike can't seem to decisively settle. How much regulation should the government implement over communications? Are telcos monopolies that set their own rules, or are they competing companies that deserve a chance to differentiate themselves?
The answers to those questions seem to be changing, particularly with the introduction of companies like Google. I do wonder, when the presence of a few select corporations directly impacts what a wide range of other companies and consumers can or can't do in terms of development, partnering sales and consumption of services, have they overstepped the bounds of fair and open competition?
If you asked me ten years ago whether or not government should regulate the use of airwaves, I probably would have said no. But as processes for all consumers -- whether government or commercial -- become more entrenched in the network, and as data, voice and video communication converge over that one medium, it might be time to reevaluate.