Broadband Heresies: Or, what Twilight, Harry Potter, X-Men, and The Incredibles can teach us about telecommunications policy

If the character Edward Cullen of the ubiquitous Twilight saga taught us anything (aside from the fact that Robert Pattinson’s hair can do no wrong), it is that being a heretic can be cool. In the series, the Volturi—the Vampiric Council—operates as an authoritative government dictating the terms of vampire life: encouraging slaughter of humans, forbidding certain romance, and eventually seeking the destruction of Edward and Bella’s baby. Cullen went against these vampire norms to protect his loved ones, doing so in a way that made many hearts flutter. In the spirit of Edward’s heresy, this article examines three broadband policies considered by many to be heretical yet legitimate policy options that warrant credence and space. Like in Edward’s case, heresy is an important act of rebellion if the system is flawed. Specifically, I write of rate regulation, overbuilding, and technology neutrality. According to the Miriam-Webster Dictionary, heresy is “dissent or deviation from a dominant theory, opinion, or practice.” Either supporting these ideas (rate regulation and overbuilding) or opposing them (technology neutrality) is considered heretical by those who adhere to a particularly egregious form of market-based decision-making, in which the provider knows best, and consumers’ voices are muted. The myths surrounding these heresies, whether in support of technology neutrality or in opposition to rate regulation and active overbuilding, stand in the way of meaningful, affordable connectivity for all (though they do ensure healthy returns on investment for providers). It’s not that we must always agree, but rather that any mention of these policy ideas stops discussion in its tracks. It’s time we reconsider their usefulness in securing universal service; it’s time to follow the path of Edward Cullen, great hair and all.