The Best Broadband Plan for America: First, Do No Harm

Speaking at a Free State Foundation Keynote event, Federal Communications Commission member Robert McDowell noted that mobile broadband and cellphones were the big story of 2009, not the transition to digital television. "The mobile app world is in its infancy. Creativity is erupting all over. Hundreds of thousands of apps produced by thousands of developers are available to consumers through an increasing number of outlets. Innovation at the 'edge' appears to be robust and unfettered, as it should be. At the same time, consumers are demanding the added value that comes from intelligence inside networks. And that should remain unfettered as well," Commissioner McDowell said. He said that investment in broadband did not come about due to a government mandate. He defended the FCC's decision to classify broadband services as less regulated information services under Title I in 2002, 2005, 2006 and 2007. He said, "I hope that the FCC's National Broadband Plan will emphasize the importance of providing incentives for network operators to upgrade as well as allowing the market to deliver incentives to consumers to adopt broadband. We certainly don't want to create disincentives for either one."