FCC Broadband Hearing in Pittsburgh

The Federal Communications Commission traveled to Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh Monday to discuss "Broadband and the Digital Future." The FCC commissioners heard about privacy, fairness and commercial possibility. Rep Mike Doyle (D-PA) helped organize the event saying it was intended to address two major concerns -- the so-called "digital divide" between those who have broadband access and those who don't, and "Network Neutrality," or the openness of the Internet. The United States government needs to expand its broadband mapping efforts and collect information about Internet speed tiers, Federal Communications Chairman Kevin Martin said. FCC Commissioner Michael Copps said, "No matter who you are, or where you live, or how much money you make ... you will need, and you are entitled to have these tools (broadband Internet) available to you, I think, as a civil right." Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein echoed Doyle's and Martin's calls for regulations and seconded Martin's belief that America must find a solutions that will help increase broadband deployment and speed while also lowering the cost of broadband. Commissioner Deborah Taylor Tate emphasized her efforts to crack down on online child pornography. Internet service providers should be free to take unilateral action against such sites, she said. Tate also cited the need to respect intellectual property rights online. Commissioner Robert McDowell, appearing to reject some of the more regulatory policies of his colleagues, said that the Internet has flourished because engineers have, and should continue, to be the solvers of engineering problems, not governmental officials.