The Future of the Internet
Feature Story by Cory Smith - 11/16/2001
“The Future of the Internet”Presented by The Center for Digital Democracy
November 2, 2001
The National Press Club
The Center for Digital Democracy hosted an event entitled, “The Future of the Internet” at the National Press Club November 2, 2001. At the event three telecommunications policy experts discussed the future of the Internet in a new era of broadband connectivity. Stanford Law School's Lawrence Lessig, former Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Chairman Robert Pitofsky, and the American Enterprise Institute's Thomas W. Hazlett offered their views on where the Internet is headed, what we can expect once the transition to broadband is complete, and how we can prepare for the many changes--technological, economic, and social--that the new networks will bring. The event placed a particular emphasis on the best means of maintaining a competitive, diverse and open broadband communications system.
Professor Lessig opened the forum with an analysis of the Internet along what he deemed to be three separate layers: the physical, code, and content layers. Lessig explains his point in an analogy from his new book The Future of Ideas: The Fate of the Commons in A Connected World by comparing two models: Speaker’s Corner in Hyde Park and the cable systems deployed by cable companies. Speaker’s Corner in London’s Hyde Park maintains openness on all three levels. The physical area is open to the public, the English language or code is free, and there are no content controls on what speakers may say. On the other hand, cable companies exert near absolute control over all three layers. Cable companies own the wires or the physical layer of the network as well as the protocols or the code layer, and they control what content is allowed on their system. This control of all three layers may have dire implications for the Internet because broadband connectivity increasingly takes place over cable systems.
In the past, the physical layer or architecture of the Internet was essentially a neutral platform. Today, Lessig warned, we are moving towards an Internet controlled by special interests that will limit our speech and our ability to produce creative works. A neutral physical layer is important because it fosters innovation. When the network is neutral then innovation and creative works will succeed based on users, consumers, and developers and not be subject to the dictates of special interests. If the physical layer is owned by private entities such as cable or telephone companies, then the incumbents will resist innovation to protect their interests. Professor Lessig said he believes that we have entered a period where nothing guarantees a neutral platform for a broadband communications environment. Without neutrality the incumbent interests may dominant the Internet reducing competition, eliminating innovation and ultimately balkanizing the Internet.
Lessig analogized the current dilemma over the Internet with America’s initial development of the interstate system. If the same system now used for the Internet had been utilized for development of the interstate system, we would have some roads that allow only cars manufactured by General Motors and other that allow only access for Ford.
Former FTC Chairman Robert Pitofsky addressed broadband connectivity through the context of antitrust regulation. Mr. Pitofsky said neutrality and open access are extremely important to the future of the Internet. Maintaining this openness, Pitofsky believes, is one of the most important roles for antitrust. Ultimately, he said, the essential role of the FTC is to keep the marketplace open.
The forum also addressed the debate over current spectrum policy. Lawrence Lessig and Thomas Hazlett agreed that current spectrum policy is fundamentally flawed. However, they sharply differed as to the solution. Mr. Hazlett wants to propertize the spectrum. Professor Lessig believes we should develop a commons for the spectrum while encouraging experimentation in order to bring about more efficient uses of the spectrum through new technologies. Hazlett believes current regulatory policy is part of the problem because it protects incumbents and allows them to exclude competitors. Hazlett provided historical evidence in support of his premise by citing the suppression of FM stations by the FCC; the difficulties cable faced from broadcasting stations; and finally the titanic struggle between the FCC, incumbent radio stations, and the low power FM service.
“The Future of the Internet” was sponsored by the Center for Digital Democracy, a Washington nonprofit organization dedicated to maintaining the diversity and openness of the new broadband communications systems.
