Chairmen Upton and Walden Press FCC on Lack of Consistent Reporting on Broadband Competition

House Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI) and Communications and Technology Subcommittee Chairman Greg Walden (R-OR) wrote to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler concerned with the commission’s reporting on broadband deployment, video competition, and mobile wireless competition. The leaders are concerned that the lack of consistent reporting has “been used to justify commission actions to intervene in seemingly competitive markets.”

Regarding the commission’s reports on deployment of advanced telecommunications and mobile wireless services, Chairmen Upton and Walden write, “Since 2011, it appears that the commission has applied inconsistent definitions and analyses in making those determinations. Those reports have then been used to justify commission actions to intervene in seemingly competitive markets. Despite the plain language of the Communications Act, the FCC’s actions seem to benefit specific classes of competitors and do not promote competition. This behavior concerns us.’” The leaders also questioned the commission’s ever-changing definition of advanced telecommunications services. They continued, “Instead of uniformity of definition, the commission has instead made broadband speed a variable in the regulatory equation. This represents the latest in series of troubling actions that distort – or outright ignore – the FCC’s requirements to produce honest, data-driven reports to inform policymakers and the public.” Chairmen Upton and Walden posed a number of questions about the commission’s “decision-making and the impact of the FCC’s shifting definitions of broadband and effective competition” and requested a response by February 19, 2016.


Chairmen Upton and Walden Press FCC on Lack of Consistent Reporting on Broadband Competition