Eisenach Testifies before Senate Commerce on the State of U.S. Broadband

April 24, 2007

Criterion Chairman Jeffrey Eisenach testified before the United States Senate Committee on Commerce, Science & Transportation in a hearing titled "Communications, Broadband and Competitiveness: How Does the U.S. Measure Up?" Eisenach addressed the current state of U.S. broadband as compared to that of the rest of the world. In his testimony, Eisenach examined the OECD rankings for national broadband penetration and attempted to dispel the notion that the U.S. was "behind" a number of other countries, "The Soviet launch of Sputnik in 1957 made everyone at least think the Russians were ahead of us in space technology. However, it is more likely that the Russians were just more focused on that area. The same situation likely is occurring with broadband today." Eisenach explained that while a number of countries might be "ahead" of the United States on the OECD list of penetration, current U.S. policies have led to high rates of investment, a competitive market, and rapidly growing broadband penetration.

The hearing also included testimony from Dr. Adam T. Drobat, Chief Technology Officer and President of Advanced Technology Solutions Telcordia Technologies, and Dr. Jack K. Wolf, Professor, University of California at San Diego and Vice President, Technology, QUALCOMM Inc.

To read a copy of Eisenach’s written testimony click here.