The FTC highlighted 3 bills that would guarantee municipalities' rights to build wireless networks yet keep them from exploiting their position as market regulators to harm competition. The report, drafted in Sept., was filed Tues. after the Commission voted 5-0 to authorize it. The report laid out arguments for and against municipal broadband, analyzing pros and cons of 6 basic network types, without taking a position. Generated by officials in the FTC Office of Policy Planning, Bureau of Competition, Bureau of Economics and the General Counsel's Office, the report said wireless technologies traditionally have been subject to scant regulation -- a circumstance that could change quickly with overhaul of the Telecom Act. nnThe report cited bills by Sens. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.), Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) and Rep. Joe Barton (R-Tex.) that sufficiently balanced a municipality's 搑ole as a regulator that controls rights-of-way access for antennas, cable, copper, or fiber lines?with its job of using its resources to increase Internet penetration. The report highlighted those 3 bills among a variety of state and federal bills under consideration because, one official said, 搕hey accommodate competition concerns.?The FTC typically endorses or opposes specific pending legislation only if asked by a member of Congress, she added, though at the state level the Commission is likelier to take positions.
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