Bruce Mehlman, who will be speaking on this topic at ISPCON, pitches his ideas to ISP-Planet readers who are skeptical of "goverment as the solution."

by Alex Goldman ISP-Planet Managing Editor [October 9, 2008]

On the website of the Washington, D.C.-based Internet Innovation Alliance, there's a short speech by Bruce Mehlman, co-chairman, about the complex attitude of government toward broadband. In the video, he notes, "government treats broadband like a luxury and taxes it like a sin."

Mehlman brings a background in government and technology to his current job. He was Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Technology policy in the Bush administration until December of 2004. Before that, he worked for Cisco in a similar position, Telecommunications Policy Counsel.

Mehlman says that he reached out to a Democrat, Larry Irving, because at the time most stories on broadband had a quote from each of them. "If it was politics, we were punching each other," he says, "but on policy, we echoed each other. We found we had enough in common to work together."

A national broadband strategy
Some opponents of a national broadband strategy fear that the government will waste money or choose technology. Mehlman says that the most important component of a national broadband strategy is neither money nor technology: it's leadership.

Mehlman believes that if the White House sets an ambitious goal of truly high speed connectivity and universal service, a national broadband strategy can work.

He wants the White House to bring in "leaders from the private sector." Every industry that would benefit from universal broadband would be represented, especially health care, finance, and energy.

"We would come up with supply side and demand side solutions," he says. "We want strategy, not tactics."

What does he think of the FCC's definition of broadband as 200 Kbps in one direction? Mehlman points out that the FCC's current definition of broadband no longer says "200 Kbps in one direction." Instead, he notes, there's a multi-tiered definition of broadband.

But today's broadband won't prepare us for the future. "Today's broadband is tomorrow's traffic jam," he says. "We need a dynamic definition of broadband that recognizes the demand for video and robust bandwidth."

How does he respond to the conservative readers of ISP-Planet who feel certain that if the government spends money on broadband, it won't go where it should go? "I share their concern about the idea of government as the solution," says Mehlman. "What excites me about broadband is that it enables market-based solutions in energy, education, health care. It delivers growth. The underlying infrastructure enables more market-based solutions."

In summary, "a national broadband strategy does not mean nationalizing the infrastructure or even necessarily increased government control."

For example, a national broadband strategy would involve the promotion of digital literacy in young people. Mehlman notes that digital literacy still goes hand in hand with socioeconomic status, which is another way of saying that public schools are failing to teach their students to use computers and the internet.

So you're looking for solutions where everybody wins? "No," says Mehlman. "I'm looking for a process where everybody's included. Some will be happier than others."

To ISPs, he says, "rationalizing the tax system will help you. Promoting digital literacy will help you. 80 or 90 percent of these ideas are helpful to everyone, but the rest may be a battle royale. We need to wisdom to pass the 90 percent and then work out the remaining 10 percent."

What will prevent this inclusive gathering of leaders from resulting in a lot of talk but no action? "That's why we need White House leadership. A new president has a lot of power to make things happen if they're willing to invest political capital."

Asked whether he's biased towards large companies, Mehlman notes that the IIA's membership list is public, published on the association website.

Conclusion
Mehlman says it's good to retain a healthy distrust of government, but that distrust should not keep you from participating in the process. "Don't be afraid to share ideas. Conservative and practical and moderate policy makers need to hear from ISP-Planet's readership. They may learn if offered advice. If you don't weigh in, others will occupy the field."

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