While there was a lot of scrutiny and pressure in the selection of our diplomatic and economic pieces of the new administration, many of us were crossing our fingers for the eventual naming of the new FCC Chair.
Last night, the Wall Street Journal announced Barack Obama’s nominee for the post, Julius Genachowski. Genachowski has served as Obama’s technology advisor, and so we have a sense of his thinking through the plans Obama put forth during his campaign.
To quote Ars Technica:
Gigi Sohn of Public Knowledge called him an “outstanding choice,” citing Obama’s Technology and Innovation Plan, which Genachowski helped write, as evidence that “he understands the importance of open networks and a regulatory environment that promotes innovation and competition to a robust democracy and a health economy.”
Said plan emphasizes “Open Government, Open Networks,” and “Open Markets.” Beyond the slogans it takes a strong stand in favor of net neutrality and a critical stance against media consolidation.
We’re hoping this emphasis on “open government” translates to better opportunities for smaller (rural) players and consumers to gain access to the critical planning phases of HIT, broadband and mobile deployment, interoperability, etc. As long as we’re wishing, perhaps “open markets and networks” will break open the stranglehold cellular providers and telcos have had on their industries, providing cost savings and room for consumer-driven innovation.
Given our so-called “Geek-in-Chief”, we have high hopes!
