FCC move favors innovators vs. lawyers

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Julius Genachowski is killing two birds with one stone, so to speak, this week in California.

He tried on Tuesday to reassure wireless carriers that the agency would not make hasty decisions regarding net neutrality rules for mobile networks. On Thursday, he presides over a field hearing to hear ideas and frustrations about the state of high-speed Internet in the United States.

“Communications technologies are complex and changing rapidly, nowhere more than mobile, and my time in business has convinced me that the last thing we want is heavy-handed and prescriptive regulation,” Genachowski told executives from Verizon Wireless, T-Mobile, AT&T, Sprint Nextel and many other firms at CTIA’s trade show in San Diego on Tuesday. “Our goal is to empower innovators, not lawyers.

“We know from experience at the FCC that there are real and relevant differences between wired and wireless,” he continued. “Mobile poses unique congestion issues, for example. Managing a wireless network isn’t the same as managing a fiber network, and what constitutes reasonable network management will appropriately reflect that difference.”

The operators of wired networks, such as Comcast and Verizon, would likely disagree that they don’t have unique congestion issues of their own.

On Thursday, Genachowski and Republican Commissioner Meredith Atwell Baker are moderating a hearing at the University of San Diego that focuses primarily on mobile broadband and how wireless spectrum and applications can help close gaps in Internet availability. Venture capitalists, professors and entrepreneurs are among the panelists.

Last week, the FCC’s broadband task force gave a status report of its broadband plan, in which it predicted a cost of nearly $350 billion to build out high-speed fiber networks throughout the country. A mix of wired fiber networks and wireless networks would substantially reduce that price tag.


Rep. Honda embraces ‘crowd-sourcing’

Rep. Mike Honda (D-Calif.) launched what he calls the first crowd-sourced federal government website, designed to help citizens more easily reach and give advice and feedback to members of Congress.

“Congress must take advantage of Web 2.0 technologies and transform the relationship between citizens and government,” Honda said. “Instead of viewing the public as a customer, I believe that we should empower citizens to become our partners in shaping the future of our nation.”
The site, http://honda.house.gov, showcases a design submitted by one of his constituents. Using a “crowd-sourced” model, Honda invited people to submit Web designs. The winner was chosen by constituents in his district.

The crowd-sourcing concept is a key component to the Government 2.0 movement, which uses participatory websites to improve governing methods. Beth Noveck, a deputy chief technology officer in the White House, has used the same model to gather citizen input for how the government should become more transparent.

Using public data in creative ways is another tenet of Gov 2.0. The Consumer Electronics Association, the largest tech trade group, on Wednesday launched an “Apps for Innovaton” contest, inviting software developers to use data to create applications that promote the group’s innovation policy agenda. CEA is hoping people use public data to, for example, show the need for broadband in rural areas or demonstrate how venture capital-backed companies create jobs in their state.

Honda recently added a provision to the House omnibus bill to provide free access to databases maintained by the Library of Congress and Government Printing Office. Honda said his efforts “reflect the tradition of innovation in my Silicon Valley region.”


Free Press: FCC action caused AT&T shift

Regulators got a pleasant surprise late Tuesday when AT&T said it would start allowing Web-enabled phone calls on its wireless network. The fact that AT&T had previously blocked such services, like Skype, is thought to have contributed to the FCC’s push for net neutrality regulations, which would not allow network operators to block any service or application.

AT&T had said in August that it was willing to “take a fresh look” at allowing Web-powered phone calls on its wireless network. The company says its latest decision is proof that regulation isn’t necessary for carriers to adapt to consumers’ needs.

But public interest groups say otherwise. Free Press, for one, says the FCC’s threat of regulation directly caused AT&T to change its tune.

“The FCC’s oversight and forward thinking has prompted AT&T to halt their anti-competitive practices,” said Derek Turner, research director for Free Press. “The arm-twisting that led to AT&T’s belated announcement is a critical reminder of why we need the FCC walking the beat to protect consumers.”