McCain Issues Tech Policy

While the world focuses on the Olympics and Georgia, Republican Presidential candidate John McCain issued a 3,000 word technology policy statement with a right turn on net neutrality.

McCain describes network neutrality as "prescriptive regulation" and instead believes an open marketplace with a variety of consumer choices is the "best deterrent" against unfair practices.  McCain says that his administration would focus on open networks that would allow consumers to attach devices and use services of their choice, so long as the twain do no harm to the network. (So the difference between net neutrality and open networks is...?)

McCain is promoting his "People Connect Program," which would give tax write-offs to companies that offer broadband Internet access services to low-income customers. McCain's policy also is heavy on tax credits and more H1B skilled worker visas. 

Way back in October 2007, Democratic candidate Barack Obama pledged to impose network neutrality mandates on broadband providers if he made it into the White House.  He also said he would appoint a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman who supported network neutrality, as well as a CTO for his administration.

More recently, McCain came under fire by former FCC Chairman Bill Kennard for not having a telecom policy.

For more
- eWeek dissects McCain's technology policy

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