Powell to Genachowski: Light Regulatory Touch For Broadband

In a letter to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski, former chairman Michael Powell said that one key part of the national broadband plan should be a "stable regulatory environment," which he said means "to continue the longstanding policy of a light regulatory touch" when it comes to the Internet.

The letter from Powell -- and Harold Ford, his fellow co-chair of Broadband For America, a coalition of companies and associations, including the National Cable & Telecommunications Association -- argues a robust marketplace with incentives for investment and innovation is the best vehicle for broadband deployment. The FCC concedes that private industry will have to front most of the money to achieve its deployment and adoption goals.