Inside The Beltway 09/05/12

Responding to the advanced telecom planks included in the Democratic Party and Republican Party platforms at their respective conventions, Danielle Coffey, TIA vice president and general counsel/Government Affairs, commented, “Both parties have cited the need for increased access to broadband, and both support the multi-stakeholder model of Internet governance.  Both parties also favor improving the ICT ecosystem by making the R&D tax credit permanent, supporting the Trans-Pacific Partnership, and advocating for corporate tax reform that includes lower rates. We’re also happy to see that this week’s Democratic platform supports President Obama’s plans to build out the nationwide public-safety broadband network. We also support Democratic proposals to fund additional science & math teachers and double funding for key R&D agencies”…The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) today launched “Measuring Mobile America,” an industry first, it notes. Says Chairman Julius Genachowski said, “We know from experience: transparency on broadband speeds drives improvement in broadband speeds. Our ongoing Measuring Broadband America program has helped improve performance in wired broadband. Our new mobile broadband measurement initiative extends the program to smartphones and other wireless devices. It will empower consumers and encourage improvements in mobile networks and programs, benefitting millions of Americans.” The commish will work with wireless carriers, the public interest and research community, and other stakeholders to deliver detailed information about mobile broadband performance to consumers.