Wisconsin Businesses Show Support for a 21st Century WI
As the national economy continues struggle, there was some good news out of Madison this week. More than 30 tech, business and non-profit groups, including Wired Wisconsin, announced support for a telecom modernization bills in Wisconsin.
Why is this important to the economy and technology in general? Jobs and technology development depend on investment. And a maze of archaic regulations in Wisconsin stand in the way of creating an information super highway that will bring more investment and jobs.
The bills, SB-469 and AB-696, take a common-sense approach to regulation. The bills level the playing field, putting in place one set of rules for all competing landline providers. The rules are in place today. The bills all preserve consumer protections as well.
Removing obstacles to tech investment helps the Wisconsin economy and jobs – and without new taxes or government funding. That’s why groups from across Wisconsin are supporting the bills: chambers of commerce, three chapters of the NAACP, the Wisconsin Technology Council and many other organizations.
You can hear audio of the news conference http://wispolitics.com/1006/100315_MMAC_press_conf.mp3 and read the news release http://www.thewheelerreport.com/releases/mar10/mar15/0315mmactelecommunications.pdf. The Wisconsin Technology Council’s Tom Still has written about the issue: http://www.thewheelerreport.com/releases/mar10/mar15/0315cellphones.pdf
It would be very helpful if you would post a real analysis of the SB-469 and AB-696 proposed legislation. As I understand it the two major issues are VOIP provider contribution to the universal services fund, and intra-state access charges for VOIP providers. It is clearly in the interests of consumers NOT to perpetuate a universal service fund regime that perpetuates plain old telephone service. It is also not in the interests of consumers to perpetuate intra-state access fees. What we are really seeing is an attempt by incumbents to force disruptive technologies into a regulatory regime that benefits them. Voice communication, text messaging, email, are applications that run on the same underlying infrastructure. It's called the Internet. Get used to it. Let's have real regulatory reform that deals with this new technological reality.
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LikeHi James, Not sure what you are looking for in terms of a "real analysis" beyond what we have already posted on our website, blogs, and social media channels? Here is a link to our coalition Action Center where you will find more information about why Wired Wisconsin believes passing SB469/AB696 is vital to creating a 21st century Wisconsin for job creation, more tech innovation and access as well economic growth.
http://www.wiredwisconsin.org/action-center/
Hope this helps!
Cheers, Emily
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