FCC Explains Its Broadband Plan to Silicon Valley

The important thing to remember about the U.S. National Broadband Plan is that it's not going to fix everything. Blair Levin, a former Federal Communications Commission chief of staff who's returned to run the FCC's broadband initiative, and Carlos Kirjner, senior adviser to the FCC chairman, spoke at an informal gathering of about 50 people, organized by Silicon Valley's Churchill Club. It wasn't just a techy kiss-up session, though. The tone was candid as Levin and Kirjner summed up the major areas the Plan is addressing so far: The need for more wireless spectrum, IPTV and other IP-related changes to TV markets, Developing ways to let users quantify how well broadband is working, Security and privacy, "Universalization," bringing broadband to institutions like schools and hospitals, and Lowering broadband costs by addressing issues such as right-of-way. But the broadband plan won't fix every contention that exists around broadband issues. Net neutrality is a good example. It came up in audience Q&A, but Levin and Kirjner said the plan won't be answering that issue simply because that's the job of other people at the FCC.