Net Brutality

Florida has strong links to Latin America, whether attracting visitors for vacation or visiting family and friends. Likewise, mobile phones and Internet-connected devices play an important role in connecting the two regions.

Many people use “zero-rated” subscriptions, in which certain applications and services are not charged to their data cap. Phones are enabled with roaming services linked to zero-rated contracts that enable friends and family to communicate via WhatsApp, Facebook and Instagram, as well as find information on Wikipedia or listen to music-streaming sites, among other services.

They also are popular among those who want to try certain applications for limited time with a limited budget; they empower customers to choose plans best for their personal preferences and budgets. One significant benefit is that zero rating allows users to access customer support and auto-pay for their mobile account without being charged, similar to a 1-800 number.

But recent actions by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) could outlaw these consumer-friendly mobile programs because they consider them a violation of net neutrality, the principle that all data should be treated equally.

It bears mentioning that zero rating of mobile subscriptions has been in existence for about two decades with almost no customer complaints. Almost half of all operators worldwide use it some way to better serve their customers, offer more choices and service plans, differentiate from competitors and most importantly, support Internet adoption among the poor. In fact, the Brazilian government asked operators to zero-rate government services to stimulate adoption of e-government solutions.

Contrary to the fears described by Internet regulation activists, research shows that zero rating actually increases the uptake of all services and content, particularly local-language content and applications.
It is a business model that promotes digital literacy and empowers users with the social, economic and civic benefits of Internet connectivity. It narrows the digital divide and brings digital benefits to billions of people around the world, particularly in developing nations.

As an engineer who studies the Internet, I support policies that promote competition and help reduce access charges, particularly for people of limited means. But the rules the FCC adopts and the regulatory regime it seeks to construct likely will increase the price of Internet service and put the U.S. a step behind other countries that benefit from such service models.

The market for Internet access is growing more competitive. Consumers can access the Internet in multiple ways from a growing number of providers, platforms and services. When private markets become more competitive and consumers get increasing value (and in many cases, lower prices), authorities should reduce regulation.

But the FCC has done the opposite in putting up barriers to consumer-friendly practices.

We need to ensure that Floridians continue to have the freedom to communicate with their friends and family with the services of their choosing. It's time for Congress to maintain the Internet's openness and to define proper regulatory role for the FCC so that we don't eliminate a service that greatly benefits Florida's consumers and tourists.

By SILVIA ELALUF CALDERWOOD AND ROSLYN LAYTON | Contributing Columnists

Roslyn Layton, a part-time Naples resident, is a visiting fellow at the American Enterprise Institute. Silvia Elaluf-Calderwood, Ph.D., is a member of the Network Economy Project, specializing in telecom and Internet. She lives in Boca Raton.