Genachowski's Stresses Congress' Role In Broadband Plan

As the Federal Communications Commission grapples with how to proceed with implementing the national broadband plan in the wake of a recent appeals court ruling, FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski reminded stakeholders Tuesday that his agency wrote the blueprint for expanding broadband access and adoption at the direction of Congress.

At clean technology exhibit hosted by the wireless industry lobbying group CTIA, Chairman Genachowski reminded a room of Hill aides and industry representatives that the FCC only got started on the broadband plan after "Congress passed Congressman [Ed] Markey's language directing the FCC" to move and that the plan's release was "consistent with the directive we were asked to take on."