The focus of Section 706 is assuring the deployment of advanced capabilities and promoting competition. While most parties will agree with these goals, there are diametrically opposing views as to what policies will accomplish both goals. Controversy exists over whether any action must be taken to encourage investment in infrastructure or whether Section 706 is a mandate for the FCC to take action and to develop policies to provide incentives for investment and competition. While this paper does not discuss policy issues, it raises some of the many questions that may be addressed in the FCC s inquiry. Not all customers reach the Internet in the same manner with the same technologies.
Companies have different customer prices and connection points.
The result is that there are different views on whether or not there is a technical issue associated with the ability of a customer to reach the Internet through any given service. Network congestion includes factors such as network design, network reliability, bandwidth limitations, and customer equipment and software all of which affect a customer s ability to access the Internet. The participants actively work together to develop new options for telecommunications policies to meet the needs of consumers, governments, and companies in a changing, competitive environment. Participants include regulators, domestic and foreign telecommunications companies, materials and equipment manufacturers, and other communications-based organizations. The purpose of the Project is to produce research and analysis that will assist policy makers in making informed decisions.