Scott J. Wallsten

Apr 25, 2024 | techpolicyinstitute.org | Scott J. Wallsten

The FCC’s New Title II Order: Here We Are AgainIn one of the least surprising moves of all time, on Thursday, April 25, the FCC voted to classify broadband under Title II of the Telecommunications Act. Sure, the Commission ginned up some new national security arguments since the sky didn’t fall when the FCC removed net neutrality rules in 2018, but to update the old saying just a bit, everything that needs to be said has been said, and everybody has said it. Frequently.

Mar 21, 2024 | benton.org | Scott J. Wallsten

Elon Musk recently blasted the federal government’s decision to deny a nearly billion-dollar subsidy for rural connectivity that had been previously awarded to his satellite broadband company, Starlink. No matter what you think about him, Musk’s outburst points to an uncomfortable reality: new technologies are rendering America’s policy for promoting and subsidizing broadband telecommunications outdated and counterproductive.

Feb 23, 2024 | techpolicyinstitute.org | Scott J. Wallsten

The Boring Ways AI Is Revolutionizing My WorkAI has its work cut out for itself. Apparently, it’s going to end humanity, take our jobs, leave our children unable to write, and add untold trillions annually to the economy. Perhaps. But in the meantime, I’ve found lots of much less exciting uses that have helped me become more productive. At this, I can feel the crowds clamoring to know, “How?”I’m glad you asked.

Dec 15, 2023 | benton.org | Scott J. Wallsten |Thomas M. Lenard

In these comments we explain why Title II classification is unnecessary and potentially harmful.  Specifically, we make the following points:  The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) focuses heavily on increasing the Federal Communications Commission’s authority and rarely shows that Title II would lead to improvements for consumers. The FCC asks commenters to submit cost-benefit analyses, but does none itself.

Oct 24, 2023 | wsj.com | Scott J. Wallsten

Lawyers, take note: Artificial-intelligence systems will soon be commenting on new government rules. I asked ChatTPI, the Technology Policy Institute’s large language model, to respond to the Federal Communications Commission’s proposed net-neutrality rules. Its feedback, which draws on our research, isn’t good enough to submit, but it’s close. Websites already allow the general public to submit comments alongside industry lawyers, think-tank advocates and regulatory experts.