On October 27, the FCC’s Chief Economist asked for economists to “educate” the FCC on economics, in a posting on http://blog.openinternet.gov/?p=133.  He concluded: “Economists: This is your opportunity to educate me and the Commission.  Am I thinking about our task in a productive way?  What other economic issues should be on my list?” Today, Dr. Larry [...]

You can view the letter here

Remarks of Dr. Larry F. Darby How “Cozy” is the BB Duopoly? PFF Congressional Seminar: “Broadband Competition: Is the Glass Half Empty or Half Full? Delivered on June 12, 2009 ************************************************** Thank you. · I want summarize some results of our ongoing work, from a consumer welfare perspective, What kinds of tests for market failure [...]

Much of the quest for developing a nationwide broadband plan has centered on ubiquitous deployment and online speeds, some arguing for speeds well over 100 mbps.  Other policy wonks have argued that we need more competitors and still others want lower prices.  In response to one Internet Service Provider’s (ISP) attempt to slowdown bandwidth hogs [...]

IMMEDIATE RELEASE Texas Insurance Commissioner Votes for Public Option: Consumers Pay More and Get Nothing in Return Washington DC, October 19, 2009 –– The following is a statement by Steve Pociask, president of the American Consumer Institute: The American Consumer Institute is very disappointed by Commissioner Geeslin’s decision to disapprove the rate filing recommended by [...]

Washington, DC – The American Consumer Institute today released a letter from Senior Fellow Dr. Larry F. Darby to Ms. Sharon Gillett, Chief of the Wireline Competition Bureau.  The letter set forth ten discrete sets of issues germane to the Commission’s impending Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in the Matter of Net Neutrality.  The letter was [...]

October 13, 2009 Ms. Sharon Gillett, Chief Wireline Competition Bureau 445 12th St., SW Washington, DC 20554 Regarding the Pending Net Neutrality NPRM Dear Ms. Gillett: This letter is motivated in large part by Chairman Genachowski’s recent announcement of his intention to launch a rulemaking to strengthen and extend the Commission’s Net Neutrality principles. Its [...]

Last weeks FCC workshop was focused on economic issues in broadband competition . The Commission invited academic experts and senior competition policy officials from the Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Justice to address one of the foundations of the FCC’s clear intention to impose a variety of new regulations on broadband network and [...]

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will soon spell out proposed new government regulations imposed in the name of preserving and fostering “network neutrality.” FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski announced plans to expand and convert existing FCC network neutrality ”principles” to formal new rules. Importantly to the purpose of this ConsumerGram, the agency would extend the application [...]