Panelists Say Broadband's Regulatory Honeymoon Over

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski will most likely focus the agency's efforts in the broadband space for the foreseeable future, according to a panel session at the Independent Show, and that could spell more regulation for the product in the future American Cable Association outside counsel Chris Cinnamon warned that recent efforts in the broadband space -- including the broadband stimulus plan -- could mean that the FCC will be exerting more authority over the space. "I think the days of the light regulatory touch on broadband are rapidly coming to a close," Cinnamon said during the panel discussion. He added that for the first time, the federal government will have a substantial amount of money invested in broadband infrastructure -through the $7.2 billion Broadband Technologies Opportunities (BTOP) program -- and will have a vested financial interest in how some facilities are managed. Cinnamon added that there is talk that additional legislation is on the horizon -- he mentioned speculation of a truth in billing law for broadband service that is circulating around Washington. "That is the first step in a customer service, consumer protection," Cinnamon added. "There is the potential for a lot more to follow."