FCC's Baker Sounds Alarm Over 'Anecdote'-Based Regulations

A Q&A with Federal Communications Commission member Meredith Baker. She says that the state of video competition varies, but suggests there is no shortage of it. She also says that regulation in response to "anecdotes" is akin to navigating "dangerous waters." In Commission Baker's view, an essential component of the FCC's national broadband plan will be "creating a regulatory environment that is favorable to capital investment in all types of broadband networks." Economic incentives for faster speeds are part of that, she said. As former acting head of the Commerce Department's National Telecommunications & Information Administration, Baker has definite opinions about access to spectrum for wireless broadband: More is needed, and it will have to come from both commercial and government sources.