New Direction for FCC?

 

Last Thursday evening in an uneventful vote completed in a few minutes, the United States Senate confirmed Obama nominee Julius Genachowski as Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission. Republican Commissioner Robert McDowell was confirmed for a second term, and Obama has nominated Mignon Clyburn for the remaining Democratic spot on the Commission while Meredith Atwell Baker will fill the Republican opening. (The Commission can have no more than three members from the same political party.)

Like his presidential classmate, Genachowski holds degrees from Columbia and Harvard Law. More recently, he served as a campaign advisor on technical issues. After law school he clerked for two Supreme Court justices, served as counsel to an FCC commissioner during the Clinton administration, and has considerable experience in the private telecom sector. In one of his last duties, retiring Justice David Souter presided as his former clerk was sworn in as FCC Chairman. Genachowski faces a number of enduring challenges. The so-called “Digital Divide” endures with broadband access denied to many in poor or remote rural communities. A nationwide first responder network has yet to be established as planned, and the controversy about smart radio and its ability to make use of the so-called White Spaces without causing interference has yet to be resolved. Genachowski has promised a more open, consumer-focused agency and has named his staff, which interestingly enough, includes Special Counsel for FCC Reform Mary Beth Richards, who is charged with bringing openness and transparency to the agency. Find further details at the FCC website.

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