CGD urges FCC to allow flexibility for operators to manage wireless broadband networks

WASHINGTON, USA: The CDMA Development Group (CDG) released comments submitted to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in response to the FCC's Notice of Proposed Rulemaking ("NPRM") regarding the development of rules to preserve an open Internet.

The CDG maintains that network neutrality rules are unnecessary for wireless broadband Internet access providers and supports the FCC's goals to preserve an open Internet.

Doing so will stimulate investment and innovation across industries to promote the ongoing development of advanced, high-quality broadband services, including broadband services provided over wireless networks. The CDG believes that regulatory policies should continue to ensure wireless service providers the flexibility to manage their resources in the most efficient manner and enable them to recover their substantial investments.

"The wireless industry is at a critical juncture phase in the evolution to more powerful broadband systems, richer applications, expanding demand and greater competition," said Perry LaForge, executive director of the CDG. "The CDG urges the FCC to maintain the regulatory flexibility that has been—and continues to be—fundamental to the ability of carriers to manage their networks, respond to market conditions and opportunities, and that is an important prerequisite for significant investment and innovation."

The continued substantial growth of wireless data will present significant challenges as network resources become more congested. Limiting carriers' ability to respond to the unique demands of the wireless environment will exacerbate the capacity shortage now facing the industry.

The CDG asked the FCC to recognize and accommodate the very different situations that face wireline and wireless companies with regards to radio signals fading, interference, mobility management and traffic patterns. This distinction is critical and requires the FCC to provide flexibility for reasonable network management to wireless carriers in order to avoid adverse consequences on the growth and development of wireless broadband.

For these reasons, the CDG believes that network neutrality provisions in a wireless environment are unnecessary, as market forces will correct for carriers that do not allow users the degree of freedom that they desire.