FCC Data Under Fire - Commissioner Copps raises questionsCommissioner Copps raises questions (old news - 09:22AM Thursday Aug 07 2003) tags: fcc · stats The quality of data used by the FCC to predict broadband trends and make widely impacting decisions is under scrutiny by critics and FCC commissioners alike. A report released by the FCC last month indicated that rates for basic cable packages soared 8.2%, ($40.11 a month on average), while the cost of living was up 1.5%. FCC Commissioners Copps and Adelstein (links to statements in Word format) at the time claimed the FCC's report on the industry offered much less information than in years past, impacting their decision making abilities. Gene Kimmelman of the Consumer's Union agreed, claiming that the FCC was simply "refusing to gather data that illustrates more thoroughly how cable is entrenching its monopoly." Much of the data provided by cable companies isn't audited, and figures in recent reports have been taken at face value, without much concern for accuracy. The question of accurate FCC data is being raised again this week, after the FCC's Wireline Competition Bureau released findings that were questioned by Commissioner Michael Copps, who again disputed how the FCC was proceeding with data analysis. Copps took particular issue with the way the report calculates geographical development, noting that ISP's need only have one single connection enabled in a zip-code in order for that zip code to be considered "serviced" by that ISP. That measuring stick was used in a June report that claimed that broadband was now available in 88 percent of the nation's zip codes. "We must dig deeper," Copps says of the methodology used. "Finding one high-speed subscriber in a zip code and counting it as service available throughout is not a credible way to proceed." Copps also takes issue with the WCB's definition of 200Kbps (downstream) as a broadband connection. "I mentioned the 200-kilobit figure that we use to someone the other day, and the response I got was: 'How 1997,'" Copps noted at the WCB's presentation to the FCC on Wednesday. Michael Powell isn't terribly concerned. "Better data is needed," Powell admits. "But the data we have is still valuable." Who most benefits from the "value" of that data is the billion dollar question. |
said by ronpin:
What the hell -- the gvmt. lies about reasons for war -- why not lie about broadband rollout -- if it makes you look good. At least Clinton told the lie we all tell.
said by ronpin:
Heh heh -- trust me -- you mean not yet
said by shuubz:Billy Tauzin is bitterly disappointed that the Academy did not consider his contributions in this category.
Mr. Powell is the biggest visible corporate whore
said by ronpin:
Heh heh -- trust me -- you mean not yet
said by ronpin:
What the hell -- the gvmt. lies about reasons for war -- why not lie about broadband rollout -- if it makes you look good. At least Clinton told the lie we all tell.
said by shuubz:
This administration, through all its appointees, is acting very openly in the corporate interest. Mr. Powell is the biggest visible corporate whore (except for the twosome at the top, of course), but he is one of many.
It is a plague of locusts on the land. They indulge their greed with no regard for the future or the consequences. I'm sure Mr. Powell is due for a cushy job for the rest of his life, as long as he continues to sell the people to the oligopolies.
The same goes for his comrades in all other branches of government. There is no shock value left in it.
When a dog urinates on a fire hydrant, he's not acting like a vandal, he's acting like a dog.
Same for ethics-free corporate whores. They act in self-interest because they know no other way.