The FCC is currently looking to enforce new regulations that will deal a great blow to the US wireless broadband technology sector. The proposed regulations are in response to the issue of net neutrality and the concerns that surround equal access and service rights. The issue of net neutrality and providing optimal access to broadband coverage for all members of society is absolutely something I am on board with. Giving all members of society, regardless of socio-economic position, a chance to reach their full potential is something we should strive towards. It will help the country regain its strength and progress into the future. The current approach the FCC is looking to take is the wrong way to go about this however. Everyone is aware of the fragile state that our economy is currently in. Placing unnecessary and harmful regulations on one of the sectors of our economy that is thriving, wireless technology, is counter intuitive to getting us back on our feet.

A recent article by Julius Hollis that I came across on the Huffington Post site did a great job of breaking this down and mapping out the issue.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/julius-h-hollis/we-need-jobs-now-why-are-_b_786950.html

We Need Jobs NOW – Why are We Still Talking about Net Neutrality Regulation?
By Julius Hollis

The United States unemployment rate has lingered around 9 percent since July 2009 – approximately a year and a half ago. Not surprisingly, the people sent a clear message to Washington in the midterm election: Americans need jobs. "Economic recovery" should no longer be an item on the agenda. Growth and job creation must be the top priorities, and they must be considered in the ongoing debate over America’s technology future.
According to a recent article in The Hill, the FCC is exploring a net neutrality proposal which encroaches on wireless broadband technology. This regulation would likely prohibit wireless companies from blocking any application, service or device – and the fallout would be toxic to our economy. If these net neutrality principles are implemented, it would curtail investment in one of the growing and most promising areas of the American economy, and equally as disturbing, has the potential to further marginalize African Americans and Latinos during a period of unparalleled economic suffering.
Communities of color that are all too often the first fired and the last hired will be hit especially hard by any extreme new net neutrality principles. Unemployment rates for African Americans and Latinos are staggering and further economic weakness will have a deep and adverse impact on efforts to close the income inequality gap that exist in our society today. So, why not implement policies that facilitate growth and opportunity, rather than creating additional barriers through excessive regulation?

According to a recent analysis of Census data by the Commerce Department, there is still a wide disparity in residential broadband use that breaks down along racial lines, even as subscriptions among American households overall grew sevenfold between 2001 and 2009. Fixing this will provide a solid path toward fixing disparities in other areas as well. Not only will broadband technology ensure minority communities with job opportunities, but it will also empower them with health, education, social and civil engagement opportunities. Efforts to bridge the digital divide will simultaneously create sustainable jobs and provide a significant - and much needed - boost to the economy.

For communities of color, wireless serves as a bridge to connectivity. Studies show that minority communities are the leading adopters of wireless technology. Applying net neutrality regulations to wireless threatens this trend and has the potential to be extremely damaging to efforts to further bridge the digital divide. Addressing the disparities in minority communities by achieving affordable, universal broadband should remain the focus. These issues are that drive me to continue to be so invested in this debate. We must not cave to policies that would deter these goals by shifting broadband infrastructure build-out costs to minorities.