USIIA 2002 Internet Policy Forecast

The US Internet Industry Association looks into its crystal ball to reveal that broadband deployment and security will dominate national discussions about Internet policy this year.

by ISP-Planet Staff [January 18, 2002]

The U.S. Internet Industry Association (USIIA) this week released its take on the regulatory and legislative environment for Internet policymaking in 2002.

Reading the signs of the year just passed, USIIA reminds us that of the 71 Internet-related bills introduced in 2001, none won approval or even serious consideration outside of the two-year Internet tax moratorium. Initiatives on broadband deployment, privacy, spam, intellectual property, gambling, telecommuting, and education saw little or no action this year—even though the Tauzin-Dingell initiative shot sparks of activism through the ISP sector.

According to the USIIA, there are four factors that made 2001 a forgettable year in Internet policymaking:

• The changes in the White House Administration
• The perceived failure of the 1996 Telecom Act
• The shift in the Senate majority
• The tragedy of September 11, 2001

Dave McClure, USIIA president, said this year would hopefully be more productive than the last.

"2001 proved to be one of the least productive policy years in the history of the commercial Internet," McClure said. "While the groundwork was laid for some deregulation, the single piece of legislation passed was a simple extension to the existing tax moratorium. We expect 2002 to be a more productive year."

McClure predicts that the White House would not directly address Internet-related initiatives in 2002.

"This will be the year that we will finally see some Federal action on privacy and spam, and are likely to see the emergence of a national broadband policy as well," McClure said. "But these initiatives will not be directly addressed by the White House. Instead, we expect to see most of the action in such executive agencies as the DOJ, the FCC and the FTC. And Congress is likely to be very active as well."

What will federal regulators and lawmakers focus on this year? Topping the list of likely hotspots for federal regulators and lawmakers are broadband deployment and infrastructure security. From there, the USIIA deftly points out that it's an election year, so we may expect a wide range of "fluffy" legislative efforts—like social issue bills to ban gambling online and thwart pornography on the Net. But few policymaking efforts will be focused on tougher, more combative issues, like intellectual property or privacy.

The USIIA said in a white paper we could expect to see additional legislation out of both the House and Senate pushing for tax credits, grants and other incentives for broadband deployment in rural and depressed urban areas, as well as other incentives for research and development. Consistent with its policy, USIIA indicated it would support these efforts.

Formed in 1994, the USIIA is the primary national trade association for Internet commerce, content and connectivity. Headquartered in Washington, DC, the USIIA advocates public policy initiatives that support growth and stability of the Internet industry.

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