On list of issues that FCC Chmn. Powell raised at Senate Commerce...

responded to question from moderator Richard Wiley at Comnet town meeting on whether regulatory “parity” was needed in how services such as wireless, cable and others were regulated. “The wireline issues were a problem,” Kayes said. “Chairman McCain thought that cable prices were going through the roof and said we needed to begin to focus on that. The media consolidation wasn’t met very favorably.” Kayes, staffer to Sen. Hollings (D-S.C.), stressed need to focus on broadband demand, area now beset with high prices and need for content. Referring to issues that came up at hearing, he said recent FCC ruling on EchoStar’s failed effort to take over DirecTV stemmed from conclusion 2 competitors in most markets wouldn’t be sufficient. Potential outcome of pending broadband proceedings at FCC could be conclusion that “as long as you have a cable provider” in particular residential market along with DSL provider “that’s enough competition,” Kayes said. “What we would like to see is a much more robust competition, both within the platform and across the platforms.” Bryan Tramont, senior legal adviser to Powell, said that in long term, FCC had interest in ensuring against discrimination based on particular platform. Ultimate “goal is to regulate down,” he said, so that rather than reflecting wireline regulatory regime, interest was in emulating regulatory success in long distance and wireless arenas, he said. At start of town meeting, Wiley was recognized for his lengthy involvement in Comnet conference, which he co- founded. This year marks both 25th anniversary of Washington conference and its regulatory town meeting.