Baker Keeps Focus on Reforming Spectrum Policy

As the head of the National telecommunications and Information Administration Federal Communications Commission, current Federal Communications Commission member Meredith Baker oversaw the creation of a 2008 report, Networked Nation, which looked at the policies and status of competition of broadband. As that report did, Commissioner Baker noted the light-touch targeted regulatory regime in both the Clinton and Bush Administrations that she credits for the transformation from a narrowband dial-up world to a multi-platform broadband world by crafting a regulatory framework that promotes facilities-based competition in lieu of prescriptive government requirements.

She reiterated her call to align Federal spectrum policies correctly with the changing needs of consumers and industry. "The United States needs a spectrum plan that expands upon proven flexible, market-oriented policies to facilitate spectrum access, wireless innovation and competition," Commissioner Baker said. She also noted the broadband plan's recommendations on comprehensive Universal Service Fund and intercarrier compensation reform. "It is necessary to evolve our support mechanisms into an era in which all Americans have the opportunity to benefit from broadband," she said. "We must transition in a considered way to an explicit support mechanism that will ensure accountability, efficiency, and adequate funding in areas where market forces are not sufficient to drive broadband services to America's consumers."

She urged the FCC to reject "changing our market-based regulatory framework mid-course in a manner that could chill the private investment" and identified the most troubling policies: Network Neutrality, reclassifying broadband service, fiber unbundling and copper retirement proposals.