An Ex-Regulator's Predictions for 2011

[Commentary] Gottlieb, former chief counsel of the Federal Communications Commission, shares his predictions for issues to watch 2011.

• House GOP oversight of the FCC
• Network neutrality goes (back) to court: who will sue, which court will hear the case, will there be a judicial stay, what if the FCC loses again?
• Will Congress give FCC authority to do incentive auctions?
• Is this the year for over-the-top video?
• Wireless competition
• Public safety
• Universal service and intercarrier compensation
• Privacy
• Wireless tethering and sharing
• New FCC commissioners: Commissioner Michael Copps, whose term expired last year, can only stay until the end of the 2011 congressional session. And Commissioner Meredith Baker’s term expires this year, though she can stay until the end of the 2012 session. One scenario is that the Senate confirms their replacements (or renominations) together in 2011. The other is that the commission ends up 2-2 through the 2012 election. As with all FCC nomination processes, this one will be subject to plenty of macro-trends, including the approach of the White House to new nominations and the always unpredictable relationship between Senate majority and minority leadership.