On February 16th 2010, the Washington Times ran an op-ed written by Steve Pociask of ACI that gives the results of a recent study on IT jobs.  That study showed that (for every dollar of revenue) Internet Service Providers are investing more and creating more jobs than other companies on the network’s edge.  However, the FCC is [...]

February 10, 2010
Chairman Julius Genachowski
Commissioner Michael J. Copps
Commissioner Robert M. McDowell
Commissioner Mignon Clyburn
Commissioner Meredith Attwell Baker
Regarding GN Docket No. 09-191 and WC Docket No. 07-52
Dear Commissioners:
This letter and its attachment respond to recent comments filed by parties that cite a study by the S. Derek Turner of the Free Press titled “Finding the Bottom [...]

Washington, DC, February 5, 2010 –– We applaud yesterday’s statement by the U.S. Department of Justice expressing its problems with the proposed Google Book Search Settlement, stating that the settlement is “an attempt to use the class action mechanism to implement forward-looking business arrangements that go far beyond the dispute before the court in this [...]

This Los Angeles Times article discusses the high cost of computer printer ink and the lack of product labeling on ink cartridges.  The article cites ACI’s 2007 study on the issue.  The Times article discusses efforts by the organization — National Conference on Weights and Measures — to investigate the issue.  To read the entire article in the Times, [...]

Kudos to Consumer Watchdog, which filed a amicus curiae brief with the court detailing the ongoing problems with the proposed Google Book Settlement.  The brief points to anticompetitive risks, constitutional and other important issues.  
ACI agrees and would emphasize the major risks to be the monopolization of ”orphan works” and potential market power in the “book search” market.
To read Consumer Watchdog brief — click  [...]

Will Proposed Net Neutrality Regulations Lead to Fewer IT Jobs?
On January 28th, Dr. Larry Darby, Senior Fellow and Former FCC Bureau Chief, presented the findings of ACI’s latest study “The Internet Ecosystem: Employment Impacts of National Broadband Policies.”  The study authored by Larry Darby, Joseph Fuhr and Stephen Pociask shows that network companies employ twice [...]

Study concludes net neutrality and other regulations on network providers would have an adverse impact on the economy and employment
 

WASHINGTON – Today on Capitol Hill, the American Consumer Institute Center for Citizen Research released the findings of a study examining the impact of policies, including ‘network neutrality,’ on job creation and national broadband deployment. The [...]

ACI Files FCC Comments in Internet Regulation Proceedings
 
Based on All Empirical Evidence, Internet Regulations Would Reduce Network Investment and Raise Consumer Prices
 
 
Washington, DC, January 14, 2010 –– Finding the record of support for net neutrality based regulations “woefully inadequate” the American Consumer Institute Center for Citizen Research (ACI) today urged the Federal Communications Commission [...]

Read our AOL op-ed on net neutrality and how it will do more harm and good for American consumers …  
http://www.sphere.com/opinion/article/debate-dont-mess-with-net-success-by-imposing-net-neutrality-rules/19314409
 

The Public Option is Here for Property Insurance
 
When someone knowingly sells property insurance, but has no financial backing to pay insurance claims, it is fraud.  But when state insurance commissioners, like those in Florida and most recently in Texas, encourage insolvent insurance operations, it is just politics, and taxpayers and consumers are left to pay the difference. 
 
A couple of [...]