The Issues
In January 2009, Genachowski’s name was floated as the likely FCC chairman, but he wasn't nominated until March 2009. Although he has experience in the telecommunications and technology sectors, Genachowski has been described as more of an executive and dealmaker than a nuts-and-bolts tech guy.
Genachowski developed Obama’s Tech and Innovation plan and spoke out on network neutrality. He also pushed for Obama’s 2008 campaign to create social networking tools on the Internet so voters could rally for Obama’s causes, an element of the campaign that was inventive and successful.
“The site had tools from around the country to communicate with each other and organize meetings,” Genachowski said. “You could use these tools to organize a house party in Colorado Springs and invite people to come and watch the debate at the house and let's talk about Obama."
Obama also expertly employed his Web site to rake in record amounts of campaign cash and help him build an insurmountable financial lead over his 2008 general election foe, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.). Genachowski helped raise $500,000 for Obama through his own connections, as a “bundler” in the campaign.
"I had no embarrassment calling anyone I was connected with and saying, 'Trust me and give Barack a chance,’” Genachowski said. “‘Come see him in person and then make up your own mind.' I told them I wouldn't bother them again if they weren't persuaded."
Digital Conversion
The first piece of business Genachowski was supposed to deal with when he stepped into the FCC is the digital television conversion. But due to the delay in his confirmation, Genachowski did not enter public service until after the switch occurred.
The conversion allowed TV companies to broadcast only through digital rather than analog airwaves, affecting anyone with an older TV that uses an antenna to get a signal. Those with older televisions needed to obtain a converter box, get a satellite or digital cable service in order to receive a signal. The FCC planned to provide $40 in coupons, funded by the government, for each household in order to help it make the switch. But the money for the coupon program has run out while more than one million people still are on a waiting list.
President Obama requested that lawmakers delay the digital conversion until confusion among consumers and funding shortfalls could be resolved. The conversion occurred in June 2009.
Net Neutrality
During the 2008 presidential campaign, Genachowski showed his support for net neutrality, which basically means equal access to the Internet for all Web site providers. In a blog post, Genachowski wrote “Open Government. Open Networks. Open Markets.”
The net neutrality debate centers on the Internet providers wanting to charge fees for use of their cable lines. Such fees would determine how fast a Web site downloads and could significantly affect the user experience. While content providers fiercely oppose these fees, Internet providers argue that the fees would actually give consumers better services like easier and crisper Internet telephone calls.
Genachowski said very little else on net neutrality during the campaign, but he quickly let his feelings be known once he joined the FCC. In Sept. 2009, Genachowski proposed two rules that would solidify the stance that Internet providers can't charge or discriminate by using download speeds. The rules are:
- Broad band providers can't discriminate against any Internet content or application.
- Internet providers must be open about their network-managment.
These rules would apply, even if the consumer was accessing the Internet through a wireless device.
