FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel And the Mantle of Michael Copps

[Commentary] In a 5-0 vote, in addition to a number of other important first steps, the Federal Communications Commission adopted a set of governing principles for the phone-to-broadband transition based on the core values of Universal Service, Consumer Protection, Competition, and Public Safety. The principles did not just drop out of thin air. Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel first proposed them in a December 2012 speech.

While few have noticed, Rosenworcel continued to quietly, and effectively push this framework, culminating in a unanimous vote with broad approval from both corporations and public interest groups. More amazing for this hyper-partisan and contentious times, the principles capture both progressive values and conservative values, traditionally shared by Republicans and Democrats alike. But as essential and shared as these values are, no one was talking about them as the basis for the Phone Transition, or how to bring them forward into what Chairman Wheeler calls “The Fourth Network Revolution,” until Commissioner Rosenworcel started the conversation. Like her colleague Commissioner Mignon Clyburn, Commissioner Rosenworcel exemplifies the virtue of “say little, perform much.” Slowly but surely, without any blowing of trumpets or massive fanfare, we moved from a place where no one even talked about values or how the transition would serve the public interest to a place where Republicans and Democrats affirmed the fundamental values she proposed as the framework for the transition by acclaim. By bringing the transition of the phone system back to a focus on values, Commissioner Rosenworcel showed that she also has what it takes to carry the banner of the public interest. Until now, everyone has respected Rosenworcel for her depth of knowledge and policy expertise. But her quiet, determined style and her focus on critically important but wonky and technical things -- such as expanding E-Rate and upgrading our public safety infrastructure for the 21st Century -- have often caused people to underestimate her passion and effectiveness as a champion of the public interest.