Issue Of The Week: What Awaits FCC Chair?
Surf on over to CongressDaily's TechCentral for a new "Issue of the Week." Here's a taste:
Julius Genachowski, the architect of President Barack Obama's technology policy and his pick to run the FCC, quietly made the rounds visiting Senate Commerce Committee members last week, an indication that his formal nomination is near, according to government sources. These courtesy calls will help shape the questioning at his confirmation hearing and provide the public with a glimpse into the mindset of the man who's on track to become the first permanent Democratic agency chief in eight years.
For now, Genachowski's agenda remains shrouded in mystery because he's not granting interviews. But there is one thing that can be said with certainty about his widely anticipated arrival at the FCC in the coming weeks or months: the inboxes on his desk and computer will be overflowing. The two Democrats serving at the commission now -- Acting Chairman Michael Copps and Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein -- are laying the ground work for Genachowski's agenda, and if early indications are any sign, it's ambitious. Policy proposals that remained dormant during the long stretch of Republican control are hastily being dusted off, while regulatory matters that have faced perpetual gridlock could receive fresh attention.
"The Democrats are going to push to see what they can get traction on," said David Kaut, a telecom analyst at the investment firm Stifel Nicolaus, which expects newer players, such as eBay, Google and Yahoo to carry more weight at the agency, with incumbents AT&T, Qwest and Verizon receiving tougher scrutiny. The latter could feel the sting when the commission reviews their requests for relief from existing regulations and discounted rates they're required to charge competitors, though pending litigation in these areas also could guide the agency's hand. Read the full story here (subscription required).
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