Genachowski on Broadcasting, Net Neutrality, Broadband

A Q&A with Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski. He says that the FCC has approached broadcasters about ways to free up more spectrum for mobile broadband. He also says he expects to launch the FCC's inquiry into kids TV rules "relatively soon." He has circulated the proposed inquiry to the other commissioners. An FCC review of its media ownership rules—broadcasters have been looking for some regulatory certainty on that issue for more than half a decade—will have a longer time line, the chairman suggests. That review won't be coming until next year, though it will be teed up with recently announced workshops starting next month. He expects a "multi-month" process of determining new network neutrality rules of the road. As he prepares to unveil his hotly debated net neutrality proposal this week, the chairman says that the "how, when and to what extent" of applying those rules to wireless broadband—he did not include "whether" as an option—remains an open and complex question. Should cable operators be concerned that the FCC's national broadband plan will wind up subsidizing competition where service is already being provided? So long as cable and telco networks are delivering "high speed, affordable broadband to all consumers in a given area," he says, the marketplace is sufficient. But if it "falls short" in any area or attribute, the FCC will propose "alternative and creative solutions" as part of its plan, he adds.