Internet Services and Content
Recent Activity
At a TIA-hosted meeting, participants discussed how network management done on a case-by-case basis as outlined in the FCC’s Internet Policy Standard and as demonstrated in its recent order regarding Comcast’s network management practices, permits network providers to be innovative and to optimize their networks for the benefits of all users. The following documents further detail that meeting.
- Network Management: Maintaining Flexibility to Promote Investment and Innovation (PowerPoint, 144KB)
- Broadband Industry Practices, WC Docket No. 07-52 (PDF, 726KB)
Overview
With the Internet now deeply rooted across modern life and broadband penetration continuing its steady ascent, the communications technology industry continues its transformation. The term “convergence” refers to the advanced integration of communications and computing functionalities, in particular, the ability to offer voice, data, video and other increasingly intermingled multimedia services seamlessly over single or multiple infrastructures – as well as the capability to access such services at any time, at any place and with an ever-expanding array of network-agnostic devices. It also means competing infrastructure platforms will be able to provide essentially similar multimedia experiences. These next-generation networks (NGNs) are driven by digitization, packetization and Internet protocol standards such that any network is becoming capable of providing any service and will be accessible by any device. The result is dramatically reduced market entry costs, increased flexibility and enhanced competition. A converged and dynamic global communications infrastructure is expected to bring enormous economic benefits to the United States and the world and improve the quality of life for all consumers.