The Evolution and Impact of Net Neutrality with Nathan Leamer
In this episode of The 5G Guys, hosts Wayne Smith and Dan McVaugh discuss net neutrality with guest Nathan Leamer, former policy advisor to FCC Chairman Ajit Pai, and current CEO of Fixed Gear Strategies. They explore net neutrality’s origins, implications, and future, including its initial introduction, the political debates surrounding it, and its potential effects on innovation and consumer access. Nathan shares insights from his diverse career in tech policy, from Capitol Hill to founding his consulting firm, and highlights ongoing issues like digital discrimination and the digital divide. Tune in for an in-depth discussion on how regulatory policies shape the internet landscape and what that means for consumers and innovation.
Introduction and Welcome
Wayne Smith: Welcome back for another episode of the 5G Guys. I’m Wayne Smith, joined by my co-host Dan McVaugh.
Dan McVaugh: Hey everyone, welcome back to the 5G Guys. Just a quick reminder before we get started, if you haven’t already, subscribe to our newsletter. We send out a summary of interesting technology stories every Friday and notify you when we have new episodes. Go to 5GGuys.com and subscribe right there. Today, we are going to be talking about net neutrality: what it is, how it came about, and how it could potentially change the way we as consumers access connectivity content. To dive into this topic, we wanted to find a guest who has been right in the middle of this policy issue over the years, and that’s where we found our guest today, Nathan Leamer.
Meet Nathan Leamer: Insights from the FCC to Fixed Gear Strategies
Wayne Smith: Nathan Leamer used to work under Chairman Ajit Pai, the chairman of the FCC during the Trump Administration when net neutrality was repealed. Today, Nathan is the CEO and founder of Fixed Gear Strategies and the Executive Director of the Digital First Project. Nathan, thanks for being a guest. We’re looking forward to the conversation today.
Nathan Leamer: Thanks again for having me. Great to be on.
Wayne Smith: First of all, I have to say that I think this is the shortest guest introduction I’ve done in terms of your bio and background. So, just give our listeners a little more detail on how you got to where you’re at today.
Nathan Leamer’s Path: From Capitol Hill to Fixed Gear Strategies
Nathan Leamer: When I worked on Capitol Hill for the chairman, we’d always have to send these huge bios that were pages long. I’m used to working with reporters and media people who need concise information. So, I’ve taken the opposite approach and kept it short to intrigue people and make them ask more questions. I used to work on Capitol Hill for several years on tech policy as a legislative aide. Then, I worked at the R Street Institute as a senior fellow on technology policy, focusing on intellectual property, surveillance, privacy, and encryption.
From there, I moved to the FCC, where I worked for Ajit Pai as a policy advisor. My job was working on external affairs, coordinating with Capitol Hill, the press, and third-party organizations. After the FCC, I worked at Targeted Victory as a vice president, handling consulting clients. Last year, I decided to start my own company, Fixed Gear Strategies. It’s been a year now, and it allows me to do the work I want to do while spending time with my family and pursuing my hobbies like barbecue.
What is Net Neutrality?
Dan McVaugh: Tell us about net neutrality for those listeners who might have heard about it but don’t really understand what it is. Let’s define it for them.
Nathan Leamer: Net neutrality is a concept created in 2003 by Columbia University Professor Tim Wu. It arose from the fear that internet providers might use their market power to create anti-competitive practices, such as slowing down traffic to competitors or blocking access to certain websites. These were hypothetical fears about the largest providers using their control to hinder competition and free speech.
Despite these fears, there has never been a real example of such blocking and throttling. However, the idea gained traction among early internet users and activists. Former President Barack Obama made it a campaign pledge to establish net neutrality, rallying his base. The FCC struggled to implement it due to limited tools at their disposal.
The Evolution of Net Neutrality: Key Historical Milestones
Nathan Leamer: After years of debate, the FCC established the Open Internet Order in 2010, defining principles like transparency, no blocking, no unreasonable discrimination, and vigilance for an open internet. This order faced legal challenges, leading to the 2015 Open Internet Order under FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler, which classified internet providers as public utilities under Title II rules.
This classification opened the door to treating internet providers like phone companies, which isn’t ideal due to the differences in technology and usage. The Open Internet Order of 2015 was later repealed in 2017 under Chairman Ajit Pai’s Restoring Internet Freedom Order, shifting focus to transparency without the Title II framework.
Why Net Neutrality Matters for Consumers
Wayne Smith: It’s really hard for a consumer to understand what’s at stake here. Why is net neutrality important to them?
Nathan Leamer: The conversation around net neutrality fit into the transition from older technologies to ubiquitous high-speed internet. While there are still underserved areas, technological advancements have made the fears of a few dominant providers controlling access unfounded. Innovations in wireless, fixed wireless, fiber, and low Earth orbit satellites have expanded internet access and competition.
Advancements in Connectivity: How They Affect Net Neutrality
Nathan Leamer: The Restoring Internet Freedom Order introduced transparency requirements, ensuring consumers were informed about any changes affecting their internet service. Despite predictions of doom, internet speeds increased, and the U.S. did not face the same throttling issues as Europe during the pandemic.
Internet Regulation Around the World: A Comparative Analysis
Nathan Leamer: In Europe, where internet providers are treated as public utilities, they had to throttle streaming services during the pandemic. In contrast, the U.S. experienced a proliferation of internet usage without such issues. The real concerns are more about censorship at the platform level rather than competition.
Legal Frameworks Addressing Anti-Competitive Practices in Connectivity
Wayne Smith: There are already legal frameworks to handle anti-competitive practices, right?
Nathan Leamer: Absolutely. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and other regulatory bodies address anti-competitive practices. The current environment is different with thousands of internet providers, fostering competition and innovation. The narrative around net neutrality has shifted from free speech and competition to national security, which is questionable.
Wayne Smith: So, net neutrality has come and gone and is now back. How is it different this time?
Nathan Leamer: The justification for bringing it back is national security, but the FCC already works with other agencies on cybersecurity. The argument for needing net neutrality to protect national security doesn’t hold water.
How Net Neutrality Influences Network Management
Dan McVaugh: As an engineer, I wonder if net neutrality could hamper network management efficiency.
Nathan Leamer: In states like California with their own net neutrality provisions, practices like zero-rating or free data services are banned, creating a complex framework. This uncertainty affects operators’ ability to develop new concepts and manage networks efficiently. The implications on AI are also significant. Network management using AI could be affected if the FCC deems certain practices against the rules. This adds uncertainty for providers and hinders innovation.
Addressing Digital Discrimination: DEI Initiatives and Their Impact
Dan McVaugh: The FCC also passed the Digital Discrimination Order, essentially DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) for the internet. How does this impact providers?
Nathan Leamer: The Digital Discrimination Order targets infrastructure builders and contractors, holding them liable for digital discrimination despite not being decision-makers on site locations. This approach could hinder innovation and make it harder to close the digital divide.
The Future of Net Neutrality: What Lies Ahead?
Dan McVaugh: As we stand today, net neutrality is still in discussions. Do you think it will be reenacted this year?
Nathan Leamer: The FCC passed a vote, and it’s now posted in the Federal Registry. There will be appeals and likely a judicial review. It’s politically precarious, taking years to push through, and the courts will scrutinize the changed arguments.
Final Insights: Nathan Leamer on Connectivity and Policy
Wayne Smith: This has been very educational. Tell us more about what you’re doing today with your company and the Digital First Project.
Nathan Leamer: My company, Fixed Gear Strategies, consults on tech, telecom, and infrastructure, helping clients navigate DC. The Digital First Project, a nonprofit I started, works on closing the digital divide and advocating for market-friendly policies. We focus on improving network capacity, cybersecurity, and national security issues.
Wayne Smith: Thank you for being on the show. Best of luck with your barbecue this weekend!
Nathan Leamer: Thanks! I’m looking forward to it. Appreciate the time.
Wayne Smith: Thanks for listening to the 5G Guys. For more resources and to connect with Dan and Wayne, check out their website at 5GGuys.com. If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to hit that follow button and share this episode with your friends and family.
