Lack of interoperable radio communications among first responders is a serious issue as the 9/11 attacks and Hurricane Katrina have recently highlighted. It is also a perennial problem that has existed for nearly 30 years. The interoperability problem is the result of what economist Mancur Olson called a collective action problem. The collective action problem in this case is the result of the national policy of public safety spectrum segregation and balkanization. That is, the federal spectrum gives each of the 50,000 public safety agencies in the country their own radio license over which to build out a communications system. While the policy affords localities great flexibility to build a system that best suits their needs, more often than not it results in custom systems that aren't compatible with those of their neighbors.

A version of this working paper was published in the Journal on Telecommunications and High Technology Law, Vol. 5, p.199, 2006.…

This article addresses the issue of 'net neutrality' and the authority of the FCC to enforce the Internet Policy Statement. This article is published in the Fall edition of CommLaw Conspectus: Journal of Communications Law and Policy published by the Columbus School of Law at the Catholic University of America. 

Universal service programs for telecommunications satisfy their public interest objectives when they achieve the desired outcomes at the least possible sacrifice of overall consumer welfare. This study assesses the outcomes created by the largest universal service programs, the social costs of the funding mechanisms, and the impact of proposed reforms. We use the State of Texas as a case study, because Texas has moved aggressively to promote competition, deregulate rates, and reform universal service.

Jerry Ellig comments on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) proposals from the Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service to reform the high cost universal service program that subsidizes phone service in rural areas.

To help inform the universal service debate in Texas, in 2007 Joseph Rotondi and Jerry Ellig undertook an analysis of alternative reforms the Texas Public Utility Commission (PUC) might consider.

The notice of inquiry seeks comment on whether a cyber security certification program “would create business incentives for providers of communications services to sustain a high level of cyber security culture and practice.” Assuming it has legal authority to implement such a program, the Commission should ask itself two questions to help determine whether a certification program is necessary.

Creation of the Connect America Fund offers the FCC the opportunity to make a clean break with past subsidy disbursement practices that were often ineffective, inefficient, and unaccountable for achieving the outcomes articulated in the 1996 Telecommunications Act.

Jerry Ellig participated in panel discussion before Texas policy makers in Austin, Texas at the Texas Public Policy Foundation's Policy Orientation on the future of the Texas Public Utility Commission and competition policy in electric and telecommunications markets.

Jerry Ellig presents before the Department of Energy, Office of Health, Safety and Security in the Visiting Speakers Program about regulation in high reliability organizations, such as telecommunications, airport security and finance.