FCC holds hearing on national broadband plan

April 8, 2009

The Federal Communications Commission today began a process of figuring out how to provide the best balance of consumer interests with the desires of the broadband internet providers, at a public meeting in Washington, DC.

Acting FCC chairman Michael Copps was seeking comments from the public as well as cable providers and other industry and interest groups as the FCC prepares its comprehensive plan for bringing high speed internet to the entire country.

"If we do our jobs right, this will be the most formative and, I believe, transformative proceeding ever in this commission's history," Copps said, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Copps said the FCC will focus on ensuring broadband openness, protecting privacy and ensuring cybersecurity as three of the biggest issues to weigh as the FCC moves ahead withits broadband plan, according to the newspaper.

Cable companies and other providers are wary of conditions that could be attached to government stimulus grants that insist on "open access." On the other hand, public interest groups are urging the government to guarantee "net neutrality," meaning broadband providers can not limit access to content.

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