More Competition and Choice, Not More Regulations

WASHINGTON, D.C. – September 13, 2023 – This afternoon, Angie Kronenberg, President of INCOMPAS, the Internet and competitive networks association, released the following statement in response to the hearing in the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology discussing the landscape of the media marketplace.

INCOMPAS’ online content and streaming companies are bringing vibrant competition to the video marketplace, directly benefitting consumers who now have more affordable video options than ever before. Additionally, consumer demand for online content and streaming is driving the business case for more broadband deployment. INCOMPAS’ members traditionally had to offer a broadband and video bundle to compete in the marketplace, but video was a loss leader for them. Now that consumers can get their video online, our competitive broadband members aren’t losing money on the video business, and can focus on deploying more broadband and delivering a quality, affordable online experience.

“It is critical that policymakers resist the pleas from traditional industries that streamers need to be regulated. Since the Telecom Act of 1996, the right policy approach has been to incent competition and remove regulation, not foist old monopoly regulation onto new competitors.

“As the conversations about reforming the contribution base for the Universal Service Fund continue to unfold, we at INCOMPAS have shown that the fastest, most sensible approach to stabilize the Fund is for the FCC to expand the contribution base to include broadband internet access service revenues. Any suggestions that include expanding the FCC’s jurisdiction to edge providers is rife with problems and will greatly distort the marketplace. We look forward to working with the Committee to ensure consumers have access to competitive, affordable service and working to put the USF on a sustainable path.”

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