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Genachowski Takes National Broadband Plan on the Road

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FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski, Photo: fcc.gov

Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, Julius Genachowski, took the agency’s plan to shore up national broadband networks on the road last week.

“The spectrum crunch is real,” he said in a speech at Duke University Law, according to the Charlotte Observer. “If we don’t do something about it we’ll face lousy service and sky-high consumer prices.”

The explosion of Internet-connected smartphones has contributed to the intense demand for wireless, leaving the broadband spectrum taxed nearly to its limits, Genachowski has said.

In a follow-up sitdown with Observer reporters and editors, the chairman echoed oft-repeated proposals to avert a broadband shortage, or what he called a “crunch.”

Genachowski’s efforts on that front have been met with some naysaying, FierceCable reported, especially from broadcasters.

But, Genachowski has kept on trucking.

Last month, Genachowski said the agency would implement a task force to remove barriers — regulatory and otherwise — to wider broadband development.

Another possible fix is allowing TV stations to sell of unused portions of the broadcast spectrum, “white space,” to be used to shore up broadband networks. Spectrum auctions, however, would require congressional approval.

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