Jim Nielson

From WikTOPIA

Here are the responses to candidate questions from Jim Nielson.

Contents 1 2008 Campaign for State Senate 23 1.1 Candidate Responses 1.2 FreeUTOPIA Position on Candidate 1.2.1 Positive 1.2.2 Mixed 1.2.3 Negative 1.2.4 Overall Rating

2008 Campaign for State Senate 23

Candidate Responses

1. Do you generally support or oppose projects like UTOPIA and iProvo?
   
   Response:"NO, UNLESS THE PRIVATE SECTOR IS UNWILLING OR UNABLE TO PROVIDE THE SERVICE."
   
   
2. What is the basis for your support or opposition?
   
   Response:"1. IPROVO IS A GOOD EXAMPLE OF HOW DIFFICULT IT IS FOR THE PUBLIC SECTOR TO MANAGE SUCH AN ENTERPRISE SUCCESSFULLY. 2. I DO NOT SEE A COMPELLING NEED FOR GOVERNMENT TO PROVIDE SERVICES SUCH AS THESE UNLESS THE PRIVATE SECTOR IS UNABLE OR UNWILLING TO DO SO. IN THE CASE OF IPROVO, I DON'T SEE EVIDENCE THAT THE PRIVATE SECTOR CAN'T HANDLE THIS."
   
   
3. Is your support or opposition based on the general concept or specific implementations used in UTOPIA and/or iProvo?
   
   Response:"MOSTLY IT IS BASED ON THE DIFFICULTIES IPROVO HAS HAD, AND THE METHODS BY WHICH IT HAS BEEN FUNDED."
   
   
4. What is your position on the regulation of incumbent local exchange carriers (ILECs) such as Qwest?
   
   Response:"TO THE EXTENT A UTILITY COMPANY THAT PROVIDES CRITICAL SERVICES (SUCH AS COMMUNICATIONS) OF ANY KIND HAS ANY SORT OF PUBLICLY SANCTIONED MONOPOLY, I BELIEVE APPROPRIATE REGULATION IS NECESSARY. AS TIME PASSES, THE AMOUNT OF REGULATION THAT IS NEEDED HAS BECOME LESSENED DUE TO TECHNOLOGICAL AND BUSINESS ADVANCES THAT PROVIDE INCREASED OPPORTUNITY FOR COMPETITION AMONG DIFFERENT PROVIDERS OF THE SAME SERVICE."
   
   
5. What is your position on the regulation of incumbent cable companies such as Comcast?
   
   Response:"REGULATION IS LESS NEEDED FOR CATV THAN FOR TELEPHONE SERVICE FOR TWO REASONS: 1. THE SERVICES PROVIDED ARE NOT CRITICAL TO THE SAME EXTENT COMMUNICATIONS ARE CRITICAL. 2. WELL-ESTABLISHED COMPETITION (IN THE FORM OF SATELLITE TV) IS WIDESPREAD."
   
   
6. What role, if any, should the federal government play in allegations of unfair business practices leveled at incumbent carriers such as Qwest and Comcast?
   
   Response:"IF THE PRACTICES ARE ARE ALLEGED TO BE IN VIOLATION OF LAW AND/OR REGULATIONS, UNDER CURRENT STATUTE, THE STATE HAS THE OBLIGATION TO INVESTIGATE AND ENFORCE THE LAW. AT THE SAME TIME, THE STATE MUST REGULARLY EVALUATE WHETHER THE LEGAL AND REGULATORY STRUCTURE CURRENTLY IN PLACE HAS KEPT PACE WITH THE CURRENT STATE OF TECHNOLOGY AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE COMMUNICATIONS INDUSTRY. ASPECTS OF LAW AND REGULATIONS THAT ARE NO LONGER NEEDED SHOULD BE ELIMINATED."
   
   
7. What proposals or concepts do you support to bring better broadband access to rurals Utahns?
   
   Response:"I BELIEVE WE MUST BE VERY CAREFUL ABOUT HOW WE USE PUBLIC FUNDS. IF THE PRIVATE SECTOR WILL NOT PROVIDE SERVICE WITHOUT PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT, I WOULD STILL FAVOR TAX OR OTHER INCENTIVE FOR PRIVATE SECTOR SOLUTIONS TO A PUBLICLY-FUNDED AND OPERATED APPROACH."
   
   
8. What proposals or concepts do you support to improve average broadband speeds to be better competitive on an international basis?
   
   Response:"I WOULD FAVOR ALLOWING THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO DEVELOP STANDARDS AND INCREASE DELIVERY PERFORMANCE AS THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS INDUSTRY MATURES. I BELIEVE SOME GOVERNMENT INCENTIVES TO KEEP REMOTE AREAS ON A PAR WITH MORE POPULATED AREAS IS APPROPRIATE."
   
   
9. What proposals or concepts do you support to increase competitive options for Internet, television and telephone services?
   
   Response:"REDUCE REGULATION AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE, EXCEPT WHERE NECESSARY TO PROVIDE ACCESS FOR COMPETITION. REMOVE RESTRICTIONS TO ALLOW THE MARKET TO WORK."
   
   
10. Do you have any other related comments you would like to add?
    
    Response:"THANK YOU FOR GETTING INFORMATION OUT. I THINK MY BIGGEST MESSAGE IS THAT WE NEED TO BE CAREFUL WHEN WE TAKE ACTION AS A GOVERNMENT TO AVOID MAKING THINGS WORSE. I HAVE A HIGH DEGREE OF CONFIDENCE IN THE THE MARKET AND ITS ROLE IN PROVIDING GOODS AND SERVICES EFFICIENTLY AND AT THE LOWEST REASONABLE COST. I ALSO RECOGNIZE THAT IN CERTAIN INSTANCES GOVERNMENT SHOULD ACT TO PROTECT THOSE WHO, THROUGH NO FAULT OF THEIR OWN, FALL OUTSIDE THE FINANCIAL PRO FORMAS PRIVATE ENTERPRISE GOES BY. I SUPPOSE MY ANSWERS ARE NOT PRECISELY WHAT WILL GAIN ME YOUR ORGANIZATION'S UNQUALIFIED SUPPORT, BUT I THINK YOU WOULD PREFER I GIVE YOU A CLEAR STATEMENT OF MY POSITION RATHER THAN ATTEMPTING TO TELL YOU WHAT I THINK YOU WANT TO HEAR."
    
    

FreeUTOPIA Position on Candidate

Positive

This candidate agrees that regulation of critical telecommunications services is a necessity in the current marketplace.

Mixed

While not overall supportive of UTOPIA and iProvo, this candidate does see that government involvement in telecommunications can be necessary when private enterprises will fail to deliver a needed service.

Negative

This candidate prefers to leave telecommunications solely to private entities and does not believe in the necessity of iProvo or UTOPIA.

Overall Rating

Leans Negative (2/5). This candidate is not supportive of municipal broadband efforts except in specific circumstances, but does not appear to be openly hostile towards existing systems.