Former Rep. Rick Boucher, honorary chairman of the Internet Innovation...
Former Rep. Rick Boucher, honorary chairman of the Internet Innovation Alliance, said in an interview Wednesday that approval of the AT&T/T-Mobile merger, along with Universal Service Fund reform and approval of legislation giving the FCC authority to conduct incentive auctions,…
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are critical to broadband deployment. “The president has set a goal of broadband reaching 98 percent of the American public within five years,” Boucher said. “This merger, standing alone, would almost achieve the president’s goals.” AT&T has committed to broadband deployment to more than 97 percent of the public within six years, he noted. “The balance of the gap could be filled, in most part, by reforming Universal Service and by going forward with incentive auctions, plus whatever private investment normally would be made.” Boucher expects the deal to be approved. “I'm confident that the benefits of universal broadband deployment will be seen as the achievement of perhaps the most important telecommunications policy goal today and that outweighs any of the alleged negatives that this merger might carry.” Boucher noted that in 18 of the 20 largest U.S. cities, people will still be able to buy services from five or more wireless providers even if the merger is approved. “The landscape would remain competitive,” he said. Boucher spoke in his capacity as honorary chairman of the IIA, which supports the merger, he said.