The Next FCCThe Next FCC

Looking at the past focus and Genachowski's interests, the FCC will head in new directions.

The new Obama administration means new FCC members and probably a new direction. The previous commission members appeared to focus on the big carriers, cable companies and somewhat the ISPs. Consumer issues and monopolization were less of the focus.The Bush chairman for the FCC, Kevin Martin, has resigned. He will join the Aspen Institute as a senior fellow working on communications issues. Martin was best known for his focus on wireless technology oversight and adding Internet access to the FCC's roles.

President Obama has nominated Julius Genachowski to head the commission. Mr. Genachowski played a role in the Obama campaign and the use of online communications strategies. Obama and Genachowski are both graduates of Columbia but were in different classes. They became friendly while attending Harvard Law School.

Genachowski influenced the incoming administration's technology and communications policies. He has been a promoter of net neutrality. He also wants to add diversity to the media ownership rules for broadcast companies. Genachowski has past experience as a former FCC official.

It is always difficult to predict the direction of the new FCC commissioners. Looking at the past focus and Genachowski's interests, the FCC will head in new directions. So here are some possible directions for the new FCC:

* Expansion of broadband and Internet services * Using some of the stimulus package and grants for broadband and Internet service growth * Delay or modification of the move to all digital television especially for those citizens who will lose some or all of their broadcast signals (because digital signals degrade at a shorter distance than analog signals) * Involving the FCC in more areas that will affect economic policies * Probably looking closer at Google, Yahoo and other companies that will offer communications-like services * Continuing the oversight of the monopolistic practices of the large cable companies * Increase competition among wireless carriers * National 911/E911 standards and regulations

Genachowski clerked for Judge Abner Mikva of the U.S. Court of Appeals. He also clerked for Supreme Court Justices David Souter and William Brennan. He was chief counsel to Reed Hundt, the FCC chairman during the Clinton administration. He also worked for eight years as a senior executive for the IAC/Interactive Corporation. Genachowski has experience with digital media companies.

In general, this FCC will be different than in past. The older broadcast issues and traditional responsibilities will not disappear. The newer means and methods of communications will become more important. There will be jurisdiction issues especially over net neutrality. This may require the Congress to increase the authority of the FCC to cover new issues. This is especially important as very large non-carrier companies enter the communications arena that overlap their services with traditional communications services or who offer alternatives that may need oversight.Looking at the past focus and Genachowski's interests, the FCC will head in new directions.