Tom Tauke, Executive Vice President of Public Affairs, Policy and Communications for Verizon and former Member of Congress, delivered a landmark speech yesterday at progressive think tank, NDN.  Tauke addressed a standing room-only crowd and hundreds more tuned into the live webcast to learn about his vision for a new policy framework to best benefit the Internet Ecosystem. The event began with introductory remarks from NDN President and Founder Simon Rosenberg who noted the significance of the conversation.  “The issues that we’re talking about today are the foundation of our global economy.”

Tauke began by discussing the “interesting maze” of laws that have evolved through ad hoc bills and amendments over the years, and how badly our laws to need to better reflect our current Internet ecosystem.  He suggested, and many seem to agree, that it would not be sensible or just to try to regulate our 21^st century information networks with legislation designed to regulate the telephone systems of the 1900’s.

So what does Tauke believe will best advance today’s communications network (which, for example, include hosting 8.7 terrabytes of video streamed every day on Verizon’s network alone!)?   Tauke advocates for more certainty in the “who” and “what” of regulations, noting the need for flexible and adaptive oversight to protect the Internet we enjoy.

Tauke introduced four principles for legislation:

1)   Consumers must be fully empowered.  – This includes choice in devices, access, products and services.  Empowered means also well-informed through understandable and transparent information.

2)   Consumer must feel safe. This includes online security and privacy, which should be consistent and uniform across the ecosystem.

3)   Consumer access and adoption must be priorities. Consumers should receive direct support from the government, including competitive subsidies that are technology neutral.

4)   Government should protect consumers and ensure a properly functioning free market. The test should be whether action is necessary to prevent harm or anticompetitive behavior. If issues are not resolved through industry self-governance, then it would go to agency.

Watch interviews with Verizon’s Tom Tauke, NDN President Simon Rosenberg and Graham Richard immediately following the event, as well as complete archived footage, below!

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