Talk Radio News Service: News, Politics, Media

By Benny Martinez
University of New Mexico/Talk Radio News Service

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Julius Genachowski told the Senate Commerce Committee Wednesday that a recent federal appeals court ruling on net neutrality will not stop the FCC from moving forward with the National Broadband Plan.

“Notwithstanding the decision last week in the Comcast case, I am confident that the Commission has the authority it needs to implement the broadband plan,” Genachowski said.

The FCC Chairman said that, despite complications in last week's case, the Communications Act would ultimately give the Commission the authority and enable it to reform universal service to connect everyone to broadband communications.

According to a statement released by the Committee, 93 million Americans have no access to broadband, 13 million of whom are children. Genachowski pledged that his agency's plan will help solve these disparities and connect schools and rural health clinics across the country.

“We have an obligation to make sure that we protect and empower consumers as we promote innovation, and as we promote investment,” he said.

Genachowski said that the FCC has shifted focus from planning initiatives to implementing and executing the National Broadband Plan.

“I’m convinced that we can find a way that we can get to a place that works for the country and that promotes the global competitiveness of the United States,” he said.