Big broadband secrets

In the midst of the financial system meltdown, the U.S. Congress finally found the time to address the issue of broadband availability by passing the Broadband Data Improvement Act. Given how slow Congress has been to act on telecom issues, it might seem like any action is a positive sign — I mean, how could these folks screw up something as simple as collecting data on broadband availability?

Unfortunately, they did, at least partially. The bill that ultimately passed was based on the Senate version, which collects data on availability only. The data made available publicly won't identify commercial carriers and won't say what speeds they provide and at what price. The bill does call for collecting speed and pricing data separately and making that available. And it sets up a mechanism for the Department of Commerce to issue matching grants for states, municipalities or private entities working to collect broadband data.

Telecom service providers have traditionally opposed the publication of their specific broadband offerings, saying that would put them at a competitive disadvantage. That makes no sense to me. Anyone can go on a service provider Web site and type in a ZIP code or phone number to fairly quickly find out what is available in a specific geographic area. I regularly come home to find material hanging on my doorknob boldly advertising the price at which every service under the sun can be bought, and major media advertising also promotes the latest introductory pricing offers for cable and telecom companies alike.

So what's the big secret?

Knowing where broadband is available is an important first step to determining where — and why — it isn't available or isn't affordable or isn't all that fast. Then the federal government can — we hope — determine the best way of making affordable broadband ubiquitous. It may well be that some kind of federal subsidy is needed to serve high-cost areas, but that is a policy decision that can't be made without accurate information.

A number of states and private organizations have been dismayed enough by the slow pace of information collection and distribution at the FCC that they have embarked on their own efforts, many of which also run up against service providers determined not to be transparent about pricing and speeds. Now the federal government is willing to fund these efforts, as long as they don't step on service provider toes by asking for this allegedly proprietary information.

Both cable and telecom companies could step up here to provide the necessary information and stop hiding behind the veil of “competitive harm.” One side or the other could even take the high road and offer an industrywide effort, conducted for the public good. But I'm not holding my breath on that one.