News - February 4, 2022

INCOMPAS to NTIA: Broadband Infrastructure Money Must Build Competition, Not Monopolies

WASHINGTON, D.C. (February 4, 2022) – INCOMPAS, the internet and competitive networks association, filed comments today with the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) urging the Department of Commerce to enshrine competition laws into the Infrastructure Act implementation to ensure all Americans have access to faster speeds and future proof networks at more affordable prices. 

The INCOMPAS filing details a road map to help NTIA deliver on the promise of connecting all Americans to better internet services while creating jobs, attracting investment and unleashing innovation. INCOMPAS member companies lead the nation in deploying faster speed networks, providing low-cost growth solutions for businesses and connecting remote and rural communities with fiber, 5G and beyond. 

“Simply put, our members have proven that competition works and monopolies fail. Markets with multiple providers, wholesale access and new fiber builders have faster speeds and the lowest prices. Access to competition helps families save and small businesses grow, and we urge NTIA to build on competition laws and results as it formulates the rules and policies for these broadband infrastructure programs,” INCOMPAS writes in its NTIA filing. 

The INCOMPAS filing also highlights competition laws and policies have a proven track record of success, and urge NTIA to make rules and policies that are congruent with other Federal Agencies and the White House Executive Order on Competition: 

“Competition laws that promote faster deployment, increased speeds and ongoing affordability solutions have a proven record of success in past NTIA programs and have been embraced by other federal agencies, including the Department of Treasury, Department of Transportation and the Department of Agriculture. In addition, the 2021 White House Executive Order on Competition should serve as a guide for NTIA in this proceeding as well. Ultimately, competition is the key to unlocking both innovation and private investment, elements that are essential to the goal of connecting all Americans and replacing old, slow and obsolete network infrastructure that is holding back investment, education and the jobs of the future from being made in the USA,” INCOMPAS writes in its filing.

INCOMPAS and its members were strong advocates for the bipartisan infrastructure law, and the early backers of proposals by Rep. James Clyburn (D-SC) in the House and the bipartisan BRIDGE ACT in the Senate sponsored by Sens. Rob Portman (R-OH), Angus King (I-ME) and Michael Bennet (D-CO). It launched the BroadLand USA campaign last year to promote “internet for all” and highlight the need for the United States to win the global broadband speed race with China, Europe and other nations who have faster speed goals and massive fiber investment.