FSF President Randolph May Testifies in House Hearing on the Evolution of Wired Communications Networks

 Yesterday, Free State Foundation President Randolph J. May testified before the House Subcommittee on Communications and Technology. The topic of the Subcommittee hearing was “The Evolution of Wired Communications Networks,” and the object of the session was to discuss proposals on how to best facilitate and complete the transition from copper-based time-division multiplexed ("TDM") services to digital broadband Internet Protocol (“IP”) services. Mr. May testified in favor of a free-market oriented approach to the transition, which would promote continued investment in the new networks, and remove unnecessary roadblocks to development and build-out. Mr. May testified that the FCC should not apply the out-dated public utility-style common carrier model to new IP-based networks: “The FCC and Congress should not look at the inevitable IP-transition just as an opportunity to implement a new free market-oriented regime fit for the digital age. Given the stakes, implementing such a new paradigm should be viewed as a necessity.”