Resolution Supporting Pro Consumer Public Policy for Voice, Video, and Data Services

Summary

This Resolution offers support for minimal federal, state, and local regulation of broadband networks, specifically regarding voice, video and data services. The Resolution recognizes that government, through regulation, tends to get in the way of innovation and competition, robbing consumers of services they want and need.

Resolution Supporting Pro Consumer Public Policy for Voice, Video, and Data Services

WHEREAS, it is the mission of the American Legislative Exchange Council to advance the Jeffersonian principles of free markets, limited government, federalism and individual liberty, and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of ALEC to encourage and accelerate the development of competitive and advanced services, and as new technologies become available, all public policy must be driven by free market principles for the benefit of consumers in this Nation and its states, and,

WHEREAS, ALEC believes that a competitive marketplace, not multiple layers of regulation, will most efficiently provide consumers with voice, video and data choice in the marketplace today, and

WHEREAS, a number of American industries have, and continue to, broadly deploy competitive broadband networks using a variety of technologies to offer voice, video, and data services in today’s fiercely competitive marketplace for these services, and

WHEREAS, any government policy that unnecessarily delays and impedes providers from offering new and existing voice, video or data service choices over their own networks restricts investment, reduces consumer choice and is not in the public interest, and

WHEREAS, regulations that delay the deployment of voice, video and data services will delay America’s broadband future for years and undermine the public interest, not protect it, and

WHEREAS, the national interest in building the broadband future is paramount and consumer choice is key, and

WHEREAS, competition ensures that consumers receive more choices – in both service and price.  Today’s broadband networks offer consumers active and viable choice.  Government policies should encourage the private sector to provide competitive choices for voice, video and data, and

WHEREAS, ALEC believes now is the time to update the regulations governing communications networks – to remove barriers to more rapid deployment of competitive voice, video and data facilities and provide more consumer choice, and

WHEREAS, today’s technology provides for a number of methods to deliver similar services, and

WHEREAS, ALEC continues to affirm its policy of competitive neutrality in all voice, video, and data services.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that ALEC shall voice its support of minimal, federal, state and local regulation of broadband networks, regardless of the technology used, and convey this support to the members of the United States Congress, the Executive Branch, the FCC, the state legislatures, national organizations representing local governments and public utility commissions.

BE IT RESOLVED that ALEC urges the U. S. Congress and the FCC to act quickly to adopt uniform national rules governing these competitive networks.  If they do not, the patchwork of often-conflicting regulations could delay America’s broadband future for years and undermine the public interest, not protect it.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that ALEC urge state regulatory and legislative bodies to encourage and accelerate the development of competitive and advanced broadband services. The national interest in building the broadband future is paramount.  The inherently interstate nature of broadband services requires a comprehensive national solution.

 

Approved by the ALEC Board of Directors June 2005.

Approved by the ALEC Board of Directors December 2012.

Amended and reapproved by the ALEC Board of Directors September 2017.