FCC Would Have Votes To Reclassify Broadband

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski appears to have the votes he needs to reclassify broadband as a heavily regulated telecommunications service -- if he chooses to proceed down that path.

During interviews Tuesday at the National Association of Broadcasters convention in Las Vegas, FCC Commissioners Michael Copps and Mignon Clyburn expressed support for such a regulatory change if the agency decides it's the best course of action.

Senate Commerce Chairman John (Jay) Rockefeller (D-WV) said in his prepared remarks that the FCC in the near term should "use all of its existing authority to protect consumers and pursue the broad objectives of the broadband plan. Second, in the long-term, if there is a need to rewrite the law to provide consumers, the FCC, and industry with a new framework, I will take that task on."