Scott Draughon talked about the myths of the current federal communications regulation improving Broadband Internet access in an article featured in the May 29th edition of the Ocala Star Banner.

Draughon cited the move toward telecom deregulation represented in the Tauzin-Dingell Act (H.R. 1542) as a matter of economics. "Broadband access is an important issue for the economy," Draughon said. "An important part of the formula for revitalizing the national economy depends upon broadband availability, and what businesses and the public can do with broadband services"

The current regulation, the Telecommunications Act of 1996, reflects old economy thinking, according to Draughon. Despite the argument of whether it has or hasn't worked, communities are not getting broadband access. "I see some confusion in the current state of regulation," Draughon said. "Regulatory legislation is supposed to protect the consumer from harm. All of the sudden lawmakers are trying to manage the competition. How does that protect consumers? The reason we don't have widely available broadband is the same reason Californians don't have enough power: Regulation."

Since the passage of the 1996 Telecom Act, the real competition for broadband access is new technologies. "In the new economy, competition does not come from restructuring," Draughon said. "It comes from innovation. The real answers to delivering broadband are fiber-optic networks and wireless."