Well, we won't know the answer unless Congress actually does something by the end of this week! That is, pass a law or two. In both Houses of Congress. For the President to actually sign. (OK, this column isn't really just about network neutrality … that's just to get your attention.)
And maybe even still have a government. Maybe. Unlikely? Or is this America's new normal: permanent dysfunction!
Don't fret. Instead, cross your fingers … eyes … toes … arms and legs. And pray.
Of course, there are glimmers of hope. Last Saturday, the House Budget Committee actually marked up the social spending bill … including the broadband infrastructure language. I repeat: Saturday! In Congress!
So, perhaps Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) and Joe Manchin (D-WVA) will accept an only slightly watered down big infrastructure bill after all. If they don't; well, you get it. More worry about the debt ceiling.
Don't, though, hold your breath.
Random Notes
* Meanwhile, updated versions of so-called Net Neutrality have reached across the ocean again as 5G shakes up the industries on the British Isles and the continent. Seems everything is up for redefining.
* As The Economist (09/11/21) notes, streaming in the U.S. is dominating news as classic cable (a package of linear networks, that is, not the cable itself) plummets. The same thing isn't quite happening in Europe, partly because the ground rules are a bit different. Fees and laws differ in Europe, including Britain, and there is often more than one incumbent. And streaming isn't yet growing as quickly as in the States. In the U.S., it is only recently that incumbent cable (really the broadband service of what were cable operators) has developed robust on-the-ground competition (with maybe better service?) as municipalities have been more receptive to so-called overbuilds. At least two franchises have been more often competing for customers. That situation is growing right as major bills might direct billions of dollars at communications infrastructure. What a great time to be in the business … if, that is, America can function.
* Will over-the-air and either linear or streaming television ever get properly monitored and accurately counted? Competitors to Nielsen are popping up across a number of more finite trails in what seems a weekly occurrence. This isn't the first time Nielsen has been under the gun. It's just the latest in a long line of shifting realities. Something will be worked out and I, for one, wouldn't bet against Nielsen (for now).
* Shouldn't the President take a few moments and designate Jessica Rosenworcel chair of the Federal Confusion Commission? And then, take a second or two to nominate another Democrat to the FCC? Just to get some real ability to better serve the industries.
* Ten years ago, when we sold our company to SNL Kagan, we had very, very good maps of the broadband universe. Today, S&P owns the buyer that we sold to … but nobody, and in particular the government, has any real idea about where, how and why any location has broadband … much less any parsing of the various internet providers: classic cable hybrid fiber coax, fiber, satellite or cellular. Tsk, tsk.
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